**Early Voting Kicks Off in North Carolina Amid High Expectations**

Early voting has begun in North Carolina, with millions of voters anticipated to cast their ballots ahead of the general election set for Tuesday, Nov. 5. Historical data from the N.C. State Board of Elections (NCSBE) reveals a trend of increasing early voting activity, with 62% of voters casting their ballots early in 2016, a figure that rose to 65% in 2020, according to NCSBE Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell.

More than 400 early voting locations have been made available across the state, providing ample opportunity for voters to participate. To identify a convenient early voting site, residents can utilize the NCSBE early voting search tool online by selecting their respective county from a drop-down menu, which will display relevant sites and their operational hours.

Early voting offers greater flexibility compared to Election Day voting. During the early voting window, individuals can vote at any designated site within their registered county, unlike on Election Day when they must visit their assigned polling location. Registered voters can preview their sample ballot beforehand by entering their details into the NCSBE voter search tool online and selecting "Your Sample Ballot."

A new requirement for this election is the necessity of presenting a photo ID. However, those unable to provide an ID are not excluded from voting; they can complete an ID Exception Form. Acceptable reasons for exemption include a "reasonable impediment" to obtaining an ID, a religious objection to being photographed, or being a victim of a natural disaster within 100 days before Election Day, which applies to 25 counties in the state.

Guidelines for filling out ballots stress the importance of accuracy and completeness. Voters should use a black ballpoint pen or the provided marking device to fill in the oval next to their chosen candidates. In case of errors, voters are advised to request a replacement ballot from an election official.

Additionally, absentee ballots can be handed over at early voting sites for secure processing. Voters in 25 Western North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene can submit their ballots at any early voting site, county board of elections office statewide, or directly at the NCSBE in Raleigh. This flexibility ensures that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate in this critical election period.