Early Voting Starts in North Carolina Election

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Early voting for the US presidential election has begun in North Carolina. The race is tight between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. Hurricane Helene has raised concerns about voter turnout in affected areas.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

North Carolina is shaping up to be a crucial battleground in the upcoming presidential election. Voters here are showing support for both Democrat Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Recent polls indicate a very tight race between the two candidates in the state.

On Thursday, early voting commenced in North Carolina, just weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. Some residents are still facing challenges, such as lack of electricity, running water, or phone service. The hurricane caused over 200 fatalities and billions of dollars in damage. Nevertheless, voters are making their way to polling places to exercise their rights.

Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck in North Carolina, with state polling showing Trump at 48% support compared to Harris’s 47.5%. Buncombe County, home to Asheville, voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, while neighboring Yancey County favored Trump. Therefore, understanding voter preferences is crucial in this competitive landscape.

The state elections board has been assessing storm damage to polling locations for weeks. On Thursday, 76 early voting sites opened in 25 western North Carolina counties listed in the federal disaster declaration.

Early voting has become the most popular way for North Carolinians to cast their ballots. Many voters, including 49-year-old graphic designer Tina Veitch, have chosen to stay in the area despite storm damage to ensure they can vote.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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