Thousands line up early in Charlotte region to cast ballots on Election Day 2024
Michael Dodge stood in the cold rain during the early morning darkness waiting 2 1/ 2 hours for his Mooresville polling precinct to open.
He joined thousands who lined up early on Tuesday at precincts across the Charlotte region eager to cast ballots in the presidential election and county and state races.
"People complain about a situation, but they don't take advantage of voting," the 54-year-old Donald Trump supporter told The Charlotte Observer at 5:50 a.m. outside the War Memorial Building, in Iredell County. "You have an opportunity to change things. You can be part of the solution, part of the change."
As many as 4.4 million people — more than half of those registered in the state — voted early in North Carolina, according to data from the State Board of Elections. Across the United States, there are some 162 million eligible voters with as many as 78 million who already have cast ballots in early voting.
Dodge said he intended to vote early on Saturday, but decided otherwise when he saw the line of about 80 voters in the parking lot.
He was first at the precinct on Tuesday. By 6 a.m., a dozen more were in line, as cars streamed into the parking lot.
Teacher Dana Samuel arrived early so she could be on time for school at 7:30 a.m.
"I had my coffee ready to go, just needed to press the brew button," the 54-year-old Kamala Harris supporter said. Samuel attended Harris's rally at PNC Pavilion on Saturday.
"No way I was going to miss the opportunity," she said about voting. "The honor of my civic duty."
Steve and Christina Rouhana held their 1- and 3-year-olds while in line. It was the best time to vote given their children's schedules, Christina Rouhana, 37, said.
Asked why they weathered the rain to be among the first in line, Steve Rouhana put it simply: "It's our right to vote, he said, declining to say which party he favors. "You have to exercise your right to vote.
Around 7 a.m., a steady stream of voters filed into the precinct at Huntersville Elementary School, including first-time voters Amariana Estell, who turned 18 on Nov. 1, her sisters, Rae, 21, and Aria, 19, and their dad, Howard Estell.
They intended to vote for Kamala Harris, they said.
"Trump has said some very scary things," including some that are against women's rights, Howard Estell, 43, said.
Also in line a few people behind the Estells, 45-year-old Dave Mangano declined to say who he was voting for but said it's important for everyone to vote.
"There's been a lot of conflict," he said. His hope from the election: "Just figure out how to get along and to progress," Mangano said.
