The number of early voters in North Carolina still recovering from Helene is larger than in 2020

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — More North Carolinians cast ballots on the first day of early voting this year than in 2020, even as residents of the mountainous western part of the state continued to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

Preliminary data shows a record 353,166 people voted at more than 400 early voting sites statewide on Thursday, compared to 348,599 on the first day in October 2020, the State Board of Elections said Friday.

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As North Carolina's population and voter registration continue to grow, Thursday's overall share of the state's current number of registered voters was slightly lower than the share of voters four years ago, according to data provided by the board. Thursday's figure was 4.54 percent of the state's 7.78 million voters, while the first day of 2020 was 4.78 percent of the then 7.29 million voters.

The number of ballots cast and voters registered Thursday is expected to increase as county election offices continue to upload data, board spokesman Pat Gannon said.

Lines and full parking lots were common Thursday at polling stations in densely populated counties in the Piedmont and Mountain region, where historic flooding three weeks ago destroyed homes, roads and bridges and knocked out power and water systems. The board said Friday it had not received any reports of significant problems or voting issues.

Thursday's turnout “is a clear sign that voters are energized about this election, that they trust the electoral process and that a hurricane will not stop North Carolinians from exercising their right to vote,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board, share in a message. Clear, sunny weather on Thursday may have boosted voter turnout, election officials say.

Helene was the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. It decimated remote towns across the Appalachian Mountains and killed at least 246 people, with just over half of the storm-related deaths occurring in North Carolina.

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While power is almost fully restored in western North Carolina, tens of thousands lack access to clean running water. Still, all but four of the 80 polling stations originally planned for the 25 western counties hardest hit by the storm were open Thursday.

“Of course, any time something this catastrophic happens, people's lives are disrupted,” early voter Bill Whalen, 75, of Asheville, said Thursday, but “at least in my neighborhood, there is a widespread understanding of the importance of this Choice.” and how important it is to choose.”

The early voting period, which runs through Nov. 2 in all 100 counties, is proving popular in North Carolina. More than 3.6 million ballots – 65 percent of all ballots – were cast during early voting in the 2020 general election. Voters can register to vote and cast their vote at the same time during the 17-day period.

Traditional absentee voting began several days before Helene reached the state. As of Thursday, more than 75,000 ballots had been received from domestic, military and foreign voters, the board said.

In addition to the presidency, the North Carolina vote also includes races for governor, attorney general and several other statewide positions. All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and General Assembly are also up for re-election.

Associated Press video journalist Erik Verduzco in Asheville, North Carolina, contributed to this report.