Record Turnout For Early Voting In Forsyth, Guilford Counties

The long lines and cold windy weather didn't keep voters away during the last day of early voting in North Carolina.  State election officials estimate that more than 1 million people cast ballots before the deadline. Forsyth and Guilford Counties saw record numbers compared to the number of early voters in 2010 mid-term election.

People waited in line for two to three hours to cast their ballot at the Board of Elections Office in downtown Winston-Salem.

Glenda Paris was shocked by the row of people that stretched several buildings back. She wore a heavy jacket and gloves to stay warm. Like many people, she says work and school schedules made early voting the best option to make her voice heard.

“What's important for me is my ability to vote. I grew up with a mom who was very involved in civil rights and I marched in Washington during poor people's marches and all of that," says Paris. "My right to vote is important to me and that is why I'm standing out here in the cold."

The total number of early ballots cast in Forsyth County during early voting was about 32,350. In Guilford County, the total number was 58,671.

Many voters say key races also drove them to vote early, including the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Kay Hagan and Republican Thom Tillis, local and state judicial seats and county school board races.

Steve Hines, director of Forsyth County Board of Elections, says his office is taking steps to improve voter's experience at the polls on Tuesday. Curbside voting will be available for those who can't make it inside their assigned polling place and extra staff will be monitoring lines and wait times. But he says voters should still expect some delays.

“The biggest thing that has affected us in this election is that we don't have straight party voting anymore. In the past, you could go in and press straight party voting and virtually it would light up all of the candidates for that particular party. They did away with that with the new law and it takes voters a little longer to go through that,” said Hines. “The other issue affecting us here in Forsyth County is that we have five city bonds on the ballot and it takes longer to read through those. In addition, we have the constitutional amendment that is on the ballot as well.”

The polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 4. Under state law, a registered voter who is in line by 7:30 that night will be able to cast their ballot.

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