North and South Carolina Report Record Early Voting Turnout

Election officials in North and South Carolina are reporting record-breaking early voting turnout as the window for early ballots closes on October 31. In North Carolina, approximately one-third of eligible voters have already cast ballots, a surge driven largely by unaffiliated and Democratic voters who account for nearly 75% of early votes. In Buncombe County, turnout exceeded 90,000, surpassing the previous midterm record of 78,000 set in 2018.

Similarly, Issac Cramer, the Executive Director of Charleston County Elections in South Carolina, reported a single-day record on October 30 with more than 10,000 ballots cast. Over the past two weeks, Charleston County has seen more than 87,000 ballots, exceeding the 2024 election total by 20,000 votes. Cramer noted that 45% of those voters were under the age of 44, indicating a significant increase in youth participation.

Cramer attributed the growth to the convenience of early voting and heightened political interest, stating that the trend is occurring statewide. In North Carolina, the conclusion of early voting on Saturday also marks the final deadline for residents to register or update their registration before the November 3 Election Day.