Polls opened at 6:30 Tuesday morning across North Carolina for voters to make their voices heard in the 2016 election.

Eyes have been focused on North Carolina from all across the country as the state has been called a “must-have” if Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is going to win the White House. While campaigning for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in Chapel Hill last week, President Barack Obama said if Clinton won the Tar Heel state, then she would win the entire election.

“I hate to put a little pressure on you,” Obama said, “but the fate of the republic rests on your shoulders. The fate of the world is teetering, and you – North Carolina – are going to have to make sure that we push it in the right direction.”

The state could also decide which party controls the United States Senate. Recent polling has shown Democratic challenger Deborah Ross and Republican incumbent Senator Richard Burr locked in a dead heat in North Carolina.

And North Carolinians have been subject to one of the most expensive and contentious gubernatorial races on the ballot in 2016. Democratic challenger Attorney General Roy Cooper has been holding a slight lead over Republican incumbent Governor Pat McCrory, but the race has been tightening recently.

Orange County set a record for early voting this election cycle.

Voters must vote at their precinct on Election Day; you can see a full list of Orange County voting locations here. Polls are open across North Carolina until 7:30 Tuesday night.

WCHL will have election updates throughout the day and live coverage beginning at seven o’clock Tuesday night.

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