Early Voting Hits 12% in Rutherford, McDowell Counties

Early voting turnout in Rutherford and McDowell counties matched each other in this year’s primary, with 12% of registered voters in both counties casting ballots before Election Day, according to data from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Statewide, more than 700,000 voters — about 9% of North Carolina’s registered voters — participated in early voting during the two-and-a-half-week period. That surpasses early voting levels seen in the past two midterm primaries.

In 2018, 4.1% of registered voters cast ballots early. In 2022, that figure rose to 7.7%. This year, early voters accounted for 9.24% of the state’s electorate, nearly matching early turnout during the 2024 presidential election.

Local races appear to be driving participation in western North Carolina, with contested contests for sheriff, county commissioner and board of education drawing voter interest. Voters are also selecting party nominees for state legislative, congressional and judicial seats.

Primary turnout is traditionally lower than in general elections, but the steady increase in early voting suggests more voters are choosing to cast ballots ahead of Election Day.