Early voting totals were down in Orange County this year compared to 2017.

Over the early voting period, 4,295 ballots were cast in the local races for Chapel Hill Town Council, Carrboro Board of Aldermen, Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools Board of Education and Hillsborough Board of Commissioners. That was down from 4,428 votes in 2017 but up from 3,744 votes in 2015. Sites across the county were closed one Saturday and one Sunday over the early voting period this year.

The 2019 early voting period was different than in years past, however. The final Saturday before Election Day has typically brought about the highest turnout during early voting, but that was eliminated this year by a law passed in 2018 by the Republican-led General Assembly. The final Saturday was restored moving forward in a bill passed nearly unanimously this year that is awaiting the signature of Governor Roy Cooper.

The final day of early voting on Friday saw a dramatic increase over the previous days this year, more than doubling the total from any other day.

Four seats are up for election to the Chapel Hill Town Council as well as the contested race for mayor this year, which has drawn conflicting endorsements across varying advocacy groups in the area.

Three seats are also up for election to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, four seats on the Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools board and three seats on the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners.

Polls will open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday before closing at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Live coverage of the election results will be carried on 97.9 FM/1360 AM The Hill WCHL.

You can get more information on the upcoming election here.

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