Early voting kicked off in North Carolina on Thursday, a key battleground for the November 5 US presidential election, despite the state’s recent devastation from Hurricane Helene, which left many residents without basic utilities.
North Carolina’s outcome could be pivotal in the contest between Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Republican former President Donald Trump, as polls show a tight race with swing states playing a critical role.
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Hurricane Helene, responsible for over 200 deaths and widespread damage across six states, has raised concerns about its impact on voter turnout.
Voters like 71-year-old retiree Harvey Neal and 21-year-old first-time voter Trevor Miller have already cast their ballots in Hendersonville. Neal supported Harris, while Miller voted for Trump. Trump holds a slight lead with 48% of support in North Carolina, compared to Harris’s 47.5%.
Despite challenges from the storm, 76 early voting sites opened across 25 western North Carolina counties, down from 80 originally planned.
Voters in hard-hit counties, both Democratic and Republican-leaning, are still dealing with storm damage, but many, like Asheville resident Gene Dickinson and Burnsville graphic designer Tina Veitch, remain committed to voting.
