Both Harris and Trump make final push for NC voters | Live Blog

More people voted on the first day of early voting in 2024 than ever before.

The North Carolina Board of Elections said voters cast 353,166 in-person ballots on Thursday, breaking the record set in 2020 of 348,599. In addition, the state received another 75,133 absentee ballots. Meaning the total number of votes cast already in North Carolina is 428,299.

A growing percentage of younger voters are stepping up to make their voices heard.

"Yesterday's turnout is a clear sign that voters are energized about this election, that they trust the elections 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 of Elections. "Let's keep it rolling, North Carolina."

Of those day one voter, 36% (157,246) were registered Democrat, 33% (143,833) were registered Republican and 30% (128,473) were registered as unaffiliated.

The majority of the first day votes were done in person, with 353,826 people casting ballots at the state's more than 400 early voting sites. Another 77,661 people cast their absentee ballot.

In-person day one early voting saw 128,493 registered Democrats, 122,765 registered Republicans and 101,139 people registered as unaffiliated.

Women showed up to vote in higher numbers than men. A total of 222,974 women voted as opposed to 185,333 men. That means 52% of early voters were women. The latest US Census data shows that 51% of people in North Carolina are women.

The largest portion of women who voted were registered Democrat (91,966), followed by Republican (70,394) and unaffiliated (59,848). But the story is different for men, with the largest group being registered Republican (66,951), followed by unaffiliated (58,963) and lastly Democrat 58,476.

Wake County saw the most voters in the state with a total of 42,113. Mecklenburg County came in a close second with 40,065.

In Durham County, 15,682 people voted. In Cumberland County, 10,798 people voted. In Orange County, 7,604 people voted.

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.