CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 3 million North Carolinians have already cast ballots through early in-person voting or absentee ballots. That’s 46% of North Carolina voters, a higher percentage than any other state in the United States.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 3 million North Carolinians have done early in-person voting or requested an absentee ballot

  • Do bring a photo ID and vote in the county you live in

  • Don't take photos or campaign inside a polling location

County board of election offices across the state are busy answering questions and reminding voters of the biggest dos and don’ts at the polls. While all 100 counties have their own unique voters and questions, there are some issues that affect everyone in the state. 

One of the state's largest counties, Mecklenburg County, will have 3,000 poll workers on election day. And there are at least 700 right now at early voting sites.

“We've got great workers out there that are volunteering their time to make sure the civic process goes through,” said Michael Dickerson, the director of elections in Mecklenburg County. “And that we cast a vote, and we tally those votes, and we get your votes into the system so that you're completely happy and know at least the system worked.”

 

 

Dickerson wants voting to be a good experience for everybody.

“The person standing next to you may not be voting the same way you do,” Dickerson said. “But that's their right and their privilege to do just as you, and I would have the choice to vote for whomever we want to.”

He said there are a few dos and don’ts people need to remember before heading to the polls on Election Day.

First, do bring your photo ID with you to be able to vote, and remember to vote in your state and in the county you live in. Don’t take any photos while you vote.

“Please don't do a selfie of your ballot,” Dickerson said. “In the voting booth, camera use is not allowed there. We usually have a site set up outside where there is a little selfie station.”

Don’t campaign inside a polling location.

“People will come in with their buttons on or their T-shirts on for candidates, and that's fine. That's being respectful,” Dickerson said. “But none of them have been to the point where they're inside the voting enclosure, trying to encourage somebody to vote for somebody. That, like I said, is illegal. And we can't let you do that.”

Poll workers are there to answer any questions during the voting experience.

“Don't wait until the last day, early voting ends Saturday,” Dickerson said. “It's going to be crowded, and you're going to be one of those people in line if you wait till the last day. So you don't want to do that because you're going to get frustrated at that point in time. I want it to be a good experience for everybody.”

You can visit the Spectrum News Voting Guide for more information.