In less than 24 hours, thousands of North Carolinians will begin early voting in precincts across the state.

What You Need To Know

Early voting begins across the state at 8 a.m. Thursday

Hundreds of poll workers were completing final preparations this week

North Carolina voters will decide dozens of local, state and federal races 

Early voting starts statewide at 8 a.m. on Thursday and will continue until 3 p.m. Nov. 5.

Polling place workers across the state will help voters check in and cast their ballots.

In Mecklenburg County, roughly 350 early voting polling place workers are completing final preparations and being sworn in to their positions.

Vanessa Ramseur, a site coordinator on the North College Street location in Mecklenburg County, said she loves working elections in the state.

“Because it’s an opportunity to reach the public, to speak with people and to see the voting process take place,” Ramseur said, after swearing in her 20 workers on Wednesday morning.

She started at the College Street location in 2013 after retiring from her career. 

“I started out at this location as a computer operator,” Ramseur said with a smile.

Now, she’s a site coordinator, tasked with managing workers, voters and the legalities of the voting process. She said after a tumultuous few years with the COVID-19 pandemic they are ready to roll.

“Well, some of the staff that we’ve had have elected not to come back to work, because of COVID, but I will tell you the enthusiasm is still here,” Ramseur said.

Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson said county poll volunteer numbers are good, and they have a steady database of volunteers to choose from, if needed.

Additionally, Dickerson said public scrutiny over false claims concerning the 2020 presidential election have actually inspired more people to volunteer.

“You talk about the critique of elections and that sort of stuff — sort of one of the good things about it, the publicity around it, has encouraged more people to get involved and want to get into the elections. So, we’ve had a steady number that seems to want to get into this process and help out,” Dickerson said Wednesday.

Ramseur said none of the national political controversy over the 2020 election stopped her from coming back in 2022.

“Oh no, I don’t have any misgivings about the voting process. The voting process will always be above board, and [I] will be happy to have any questions anyone will have about what we do at this location,” Ramseur added.

Also this year, voters across the state and country might have new races to weigh in on, as 2020 U.S. census data has changed voting districts.

Dickerson said he wanted to remind voters to study sample ballots and be prepared for races they might not realize are now theirs to decide.

“You’ve got a different dynamic there of ballots to look at, candidates to look at on your ballot. So, you’ve got a bunch on that ballot, take your time, do the reviews, know what you’ve got. So, you’re not going to get there and get surprised,” Dickerson said.

Dickerson also said people who are not registered to vote, but want to vote early, can register in person on the day of early voting.

This year, the state election website states 7.4 million North Carolinians are registered to vote, an increase of roughly 350,000 voters compared with this same time in 2018.