Democrats, including Walz, will spend the weekend in North Carolina

Early voting in North Carolina reaches record levels in 2024.

Early voting turnout broke a record set four years ago, the North Carolina State Board of Elections said Friday. As of 2 p.m. Friday, more than 3,798,000 voters had cast ballots in person during the early voting period, which began Oct. 17 and ends at 3 p.m. Saturday.

North Carolina Ballot Tracker | Early voting in North Carolina

In 2020, more than 3,629,000 ballots were cast in early voting.

Total turnout for the 2024 general election now exceeds 4 million voters. The 4,009,149 ballots cast by 2 p.m. represent a turnout of more than half (51.2%) of North Carolina’s registered voters.

“With early voting sites expected to be very busy today and tomorrow, this is really good news for North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections. “For eligible North Carolinians who have not yet voted, you still have time to make your voice heard.”

In 2020, 65% of North Carolina voters cast ballots during the early voting period.

Republicans have traditionally participated in early voting in smaller numbers than Democrats (more people typically vote on Election Day), but turnout was significantly higher this year.