Early voting in North Carolina ended on Saturday and more than 50,000 Orange County residents cast their ballots at voting sites before the deadline.

The Orange County Board of Elections reported that 50,562 residents cast early ballots at the six early voting sites across the county. Here’s a breakdown of how each early voting site performed, with Orange Works in Hillsborough leading the way:

  • Orange Works — 11,756 ballots
  • Carrboro Town Hall — 8,553 ballots
  • Chapel of the Cross — 6,391 ballots
  • Efland Ruritan Club — 7,845 ballots
  • Seymour Senior Center — 7,506 ballots
  • Univeristy Place Mall — 8,511 ballots

Neighboring Chatham County reported 31,410 residents cast early ballots at in-person voting sites.

The large number of early in-person voters in Orange County reflects a trend seen across North Carolina this election season. The North Carolina State Board of Elections reported 3,612,012 ballots were cast during the early voting period, totaling 49 percent of registered voters in the state.

Additionally, 937,151 absentee mail-in ballots — or 68 percent of absentee ballots requested — have been returned in North Carolina so far. Orange County reported 25,147 absentee ballots have been sent in, while Chatham County reported 11,948 absentee ballots.

A decision by the Supreme Court last week will allow more time for North Carolina voters to send in their absentee ballots. The court ruled that ballots can be received and counted up to nine days after Election Day — as long as the ballot is postmarked on or before Election Day.

“The Court upheld the State Board of Elections’ effort to ensure that every eligible vote counts, even during a pandemic,” said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. “Voters must have their mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day, but now we all have certainty that every eligible vote will be counted. Let’s vote!”

Requests for absentee ballots in Orange County were significantly higher than requested in 2016. As of Wednesday, Orange County’s absentee ballot request total was 34,936, more than eight times the amount requested by registered voters in 2016.

If you’re waiting until Election Day to cast your ballot, polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

Visit Orange County’s Board of Election site for more details on Election Day voting and precinct changes for this year.

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