North Carolina breaks early voting turnout record as excitement builds for 2024 election

The Wake County Speedway in Raleigh was among the stops with the Team Trump Bus Tour across the state.

It brought a group of Trump surrogates to the speedway Thursday. The campaign said it's their way of enticing undecided voters across the Tar Heel state to support the former president.

"I've been a long supporter of President Trump and believe he gives us the best opportunity to empower citizens again," South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said.

"I've been a long supporter of President Trump and believe he gives us the best opportunity to empower citizens again," South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said, "and make decisions for themselves and get more economic freedom and to put us back in a secure spot on the world stage

"I think the people of North Carolina, the people of America, want America to be strong again," Michael Whately, Republican National Convention chairman, said, "and they're gonna vote accordingly."

The tour will stretch into the eastern part of the state on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump will return to battleground North Carolina on Monday.

The Republican presidential nominee will attend an "11th Hour Faith Leaders Meeting" in Concord.

He'll be joined by his son Eric Trump and Dr. Ben Carson.

The event will be at the Concord Convention Center, 5400 John Q. Hammons Dr NW. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Trump is expected to deliver remarks at 6:30 p.m.

People wishing to attend can get ticket information here.

UPDATE (8:40 p.m.) As of Thursday evening, 264,127 ballots were cast during North Carolina's first day of early in-person voting, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Only 83 of the state's 100 counties reported data, so the final turnout is expected to increase when numbers are finalized Friday morning.

More than 200,000 people have cast their ballots during North Carolina's first day of early in-person voting as of 3:30 p.m.

ABC News said 209,644 people have voted Thursday, according to the most recent data released by the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

During the first day of early in-person voting in the state during the 2020 election, 348,599 people voted.

2024 Election Voter's Guide: What you to know about early voting in North Carolina

A state election official told ABC News that they expect to come close to or surpass that number based on the turnout so far.

More than 400 early voting sites are in operation across the state's 100 counties. Polls remained open through 7:30 p.m.

Durham County residents can cast a ballot at any of the 12 early voting sites in the county through Nov. 2.

See wait times and find early voting sites in Durham County here.

Durham County citizens who are not registered can complete a Same-Day Registration at any of the early voting sites with proof of residence.

More early voting information here for Durham County.