Updated: 5:30 p.m.
The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections estimated that at least 160,000 people will vote today, and there could be as many as 185,000 voters. Pairing that with early voting numbers, Mecklenburg County could have as many as 400,000 voters, well exceeding the last midterm turnout of 266,546 voters in 2014.
At polling places around the county this morning, voters gave a range of reasons for why they’re casting ballots today.
Some, like Kathy Halladay, said they were voting on principle.
“Mainly it’s the basic right of voting, it’s a very important thing and I wish more people would take it seriously,” Halladay said.
It was the first time Jha’lia Frierson got to vote, and she said as a student at Clemson University, the school scheduled fall break to accommodate students going home to vote.
“I decided to vote because I’m 18 and I wanted our age group to get out and vote,” Frierson said. “I got my right and I wanted to use it.”
Some, like Jack MacGregor, said they wanted to support the current Presidential administration.
“I wanted to make sure the country keeps going in the direction it’s been going the last couple years,” MacGregor said.
Others, like 28-year-old Kevin Neyland, said they wanted the country to switch directions.
“Just needing to see some change in the political landscape today,” Neyland said.
With six Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, some voters weren’t sure how to vote on all of them.
But Gary Turner knew exactly how he was going to vote on the right to hunt and fish Amendment.
“I am an angler and it’s cheaper going out to the woods or to the lake to take our meal than going to the local grocery store,” Turner said.
Some voters see a direct tie from President Trump’s policies to their ballot, in this midterm election, which is sometimes called a ‘referendum on the President.’
Others are gung-ho to elect more people to promote the President’s agenda. Like 81-year-old Jack Fowler.
“Trump! Trump,” Fowler said. “I love what he’s been doing. I think he’s doing a great job.”
