Cabarrus County set a midterm early-voting record ahead of Tuesday's election.

A total of 52,633 county voters cast ballots before Election Day, according to state election figures cited by The Cabarrus Compass. That represents approximately 32.1% of the county's registered voters and a 44.5% surge over the 2022 midterms, Cabarrus Compass reporter Chris Miller reported Monday, Nov. 2.

It is the highest early-voting total for a midterm election in at least 20 years, according to the Compass.

The jump tracks with a statewide trend. More than 2.81 million North Carolinians had already voted as of Nov. 2, 31% ahead of 2022's pace, The Charlotte Observer reported, citing NC Election Live. As we reported Monday, the state set its own early-voting record.

In Cabarrus County, just 32,433 people voted early during the 2022 midterms, the Observer reported in a Tuesday, Oct. 27 article on turnout drivers. By Oct. 22, more than 42,740 had already voted at the county's four early-voting sites, according to the John Locke Foundation's VoteTracker, the Observer reported.

What's on the ballot

Cabarrus voters heading to the polls Tuesday face several major decisions. The open U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Thom Tillis, who is not running for reelection, tops the ticket. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has consistently led former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley in polling, the Observer reported.

Voters will also decide two countywide bond referendums, according to the Observer and WFAE:

  • A $340 million school bond to construct or improve facilities in Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools. The county estimates the bond would raise property taxes by $42.50 per year for every $100,000 in assessed property value.
  • A $60 million community college bond for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, estimated to add $7.50 per year for every $100,000 in assessed value.

WFAE reported that the owner of a $400,000 home would pay about $200 more per year if both bonds pass.

Three statewide constitutional amendments also appear on the ballot, including proposals to cap the state income tax rate at 3.5%, require photo identification for all voters and limit property tax increases by local governments, the Observer reported.

What's driving turnout

The Observer spoke with early voters in Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties in late October. One Cabarrus voter identified only as Adam said he and others are concerned about the cost of living.

"Things are crazy, and we need to get things back to normal," Adam told the Observer. "… Groceries have gone high, gas prices are going high."

Polling places on Election Day are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.