Rachel Black | The Election Hub

The first full week of early voting is underway in North Carolina, and so far, data show that Democrats and unaffiliated voters are turning out in much higher numbers than Republicans.

In 2024, Republican Stacie McGinn lost to Democrat Woodson Bradley by a mere 209 votes for a seat in the North Carolina Senate. This year, the two women are set for a rematch expected to be a close call yet again.

Early voting across North Carolina started Thursday, Oct. 15. In Mecklenburg County, the day saw considerable civic momentum — especially from Democratic voters.

Democratic congresswoman Alma Adams scolded her opponent, Republican Jack Codiga, at a candidate forum on Thursday evening, calling him “disrespectful” after he presented a photo of her and other representatives in Israel and asked for her autograph.

Charles DeLoach, a young husband and father living in Charlotte, believes many well-meaning older politicians don’t understand the struggles of younger generations. For many millennials and Gen Zers across the country, the financial freedom their parents had at their age feels unattainable. Rapidly-growing Mecklenburg County is no exception.

Trust in the electoral system is low for many voters. But Michael Dickerson, director of Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, is more than confident that the elections across the county this fall will be secure and fair.

When Charlotte voters head to the polls, on their ballot, they’ll see three long — and perhaps confusing — questions asking them to vote “yes” or “no” on three separate municipal bonds.If approved, the city would take out a total of $425M for capital projects in three categories: affordable housing, transportation and neighborhoods.

The transit plan on November’s ballot would aid biking, cyclists say — but safety can’t be built overnight.