Floods not stopping voters in hard-hit areas
GOLDSBORO, NC (WTVD) -- Hurricane Matthew has not stopped people from going to the polls in hard-hit areas. We took a look at early voting numbers so far and we were surprised by what we found.
Across the eastern part of the state, thousands of residents are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew flooding, but that's not stopping people from getting out the vote.
In both hard-hit Lenoir and Wayne Counties, early voting has mirrored numbers they saw in 2012 when President Obama was running for re-election.
Board of Elections officials for several counties we spoke with believe the "polar opposite" in Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump could be what's driving people to the polls. And it's too important an election to miss.
"We have seen a lot of families come out here together to vote. But they know they have to go home and they're living in the shelters. They're living in trailers. It's showing their kids the process that they have a choice," said polling place chief judge Tracey Ohmmessis.
At the Goldsboro Worship Center Thursday, voter after voter comes in to cast their ballot. Ohmmessis said he expects Friday and Saturday to be especially busy.
