ECU students join record 2 million early voters in first week

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – As the election gets into full swing, new data shows North Carolinians are turning out in large numbers.

Early voting began a week ago and so far more than two million people in the state have cast their ballots.

With the help of the organizations Woke Vote and Until Freedom, students participated in the electoral process on Thursday.

Madison Dickens says her colleagues’ voices should be heard.

“I think this is really important because, as upstarts, we are the future and that is what will have the biggest impact on my life,” says Dickens.

The group’s presence on campus is part of a nationwide initiative to increase voter turnout among younger generations.

CEO Emile Washington says the goal is to help students determine their voter status.

“If they are not registered, we encourage them to go to one-stop shopping centers, register to vote, and cast their vote during early voting so that they do not have problems voting on Election Day,” Washington said.

According to the State Board of Elections, as of Wednesday, 1,887,783 people have cast their ballots through early voting, while another 120,383 have cast their mail-in ballots. Since North Carolina has 7.79 million registered voters, that represents a voter turnout of 25% so far.

Gabriela Vela-Leos says she is happy to have voted for the first time.

“I think it’s important that we vote simply because we can honestly make a difference, and it’s also important to vote for who agrees with your views and values,” Vela-Leos says.

Early voting lasts until November 2nd.

Election officials say slightly more Republicans than Democrats have voted, 683,265 compared to 683,265, while 628,183 independent voters have cast ballots so far.

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