Early Voting in North Carolina: The 2024 election begins and preparations are top of mind for North Carolina officials

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolinians will soon be able to cast their votes as early voting begins Thursday.

“I’m so nervous because I feel like this is a really, really important election,” Melissa Lozoff said.

For Lozoff, early voting is her preferred method and she is eager to do so this week.

“It just gives you a lot more flexibility and time,” Lozoff said. “Usually there aren’t very long wait times or queues.”

Early voting in Georgia began Tuesday with record-breaking numbers, according to state officials.

In Durham County, election manager Derek Bowens also expects record turnout in the battleground state.

“We expect a very busy day, possibly even a record day, here in Durham County and across our entire state,” Bowens said. “We’re hoping to get around 130,000 people to come and show up early and be sure to cater to the number of people who want to vote on Election Day. We therefore expect to crack the numbers from 2020.”

Voters will go to the polls with some new things to keep in mind, like no more grace period for mail-in ballots, meaning mail-in ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, and new voter ID rules.

“Voters who vote by absentee ballot must provide a photocopy of their ID … and there are many options for that on their ballot,” Bowens said.

Voters can also fill out an ID exemption form included with their ballot if they cannot provide ID.

Bowens said all 12 locations in Durham County, including the Durham County Main Library, were up and running in less than 24 hours before early voting began.