More Than 27,000 Voters Cast Early Ballots in North Carolina
North Carolina election officials reported that over 27,000 voters cast ballots in the first few hours of early voting across the state.

Greenville New Bern Washington, NC, October 16, 2026 —
More than 27,000 voters cast ballots during the first few hours of early voting in North Carolina, according to election officials. The figure provides an early snapshot of participation across the state, but the available information does not specify the exact length of time covered.
Officials’ report describes the statewide total as more than 27,000. It does not provide a precise count, a breakdown by county or other area, or a comparison with turnout during the same period in previous elections. The election officials who provided the figure were not identified in the information available.
The report also does not state when early voting began, which election the voting is for, or how many days the early-voting period will last. No information was provided about the number of voting sites, voter eligibility, or the pace of ballot casting after those first few hours.
As a result, the reported total alone does not establish how turnout compares with expectations or past elections. It records the number of ballots cast during an initial period, rather than a complete account of participation. Further details would be needed to assess how voting differed across the state or changed over the course of the early-voting period.
The reported figure is limited to the first few hours of early voting statewide. Election officials’ statement, as provided, does not include additional figures or a timeline for when further turnout updates might be released.
Story summarized from the original created by Shabnam Danesh on www.wnct.com, see more information here.
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