Election Day 2024 live updates: Harris rolls up big margins in Mecklenburg, but Trump claims NC
Welcome to Election Day 2024.
Thousands lined up early on Tuesday at precincts across the Charlotte region eager to cast ballots in the presidential election and county and state races.
As many as 4.7 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.
In Mecklenburg County nearly 430,579 registered voters cast ballots early. Republican voters appeared to take full advantage of early voting, as they outpaced both Democrats and unaffiliated voters, according to the John Locke Foundation’s Vote Tracker, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Check back throughout the day for live updates.
Mood goes dark at Meck Dems watch party
11:15 p.m.: As the eleven o’clock hour rolled in, Democrats and supporters of Kamala Harris began to leave the watch party’s venue at Camp North End.
But for a brief moment, the room paused and zeroed in on the big screen to watch MSNBC’s Steve Kornacki discuss the current standing of Mecklenburg County.
Despite the months of courting voters, Kornacki said Harris is underperforming in Mecklenburg County compared to four years ago.
“That’s a significant development,” Kornacki said. “Democrats looking at North Carolina have wanted something big to come out of Mecklenburg County.” Some guests let sighed or muttered “oh no.” (In fact, Harris performed in 2024 in Mecklenburg about the same as Joe Biden did in 2020.)
Shortly after, The Associated Press called North Carolina as a win for Donald Trump.
Hope for Harris in Mecklenburg
10 p.m.: Charlotte Mayor Pro-Tem Dante Anderson expressed excitement about the potential of Kamala Harris becoming the first female president.
“It’s something that so many people hadn’t even dreamed of,” she said. “... The possibility of her becoming the very first woman president of these United States, incredible.”
Despite North Carolina being a battleground state, she she said she felt optimistic about Harris’ ability to win the state.
Despite Harris trailing nationally in electoral votes as results roll in, Mecklenburg Democrats tried to stay optimistic. “Unclench your jaw and take a breath. We had the same thing in 2020 and it worked out,” Mecklenburg County Democratic chair Drew Kromer said to the Tuesday night watch party at Camp North End.
Mecklenburg Dems begin party
8:36 p.m.: Mecklenburg County Democrats started with high energy as guests adorned in Kamala Harris fan merch slowly sprinkled into the Revelry at Camp North End.
Supporters of Harris swayed to a cover band singing upbeat tunes from Amy Winehouse and Ben E. King while taking photos of each other in T-shirts embroidered in pink and green – the staple colors of Harris’ sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Steve Martin, a Mecklenburg County resident, has been canvassing for the Democratic Party since 2016.
The choice to support Harris was in support of his four granddaughters and protecting their freedom and democracy, he said.
“Democracy means the government should work with people and not for big corporations and foreign entities,” he said.
“It needs to be driven by the citizens of the United States.”
“Look at your neighbor and say ‘President Kamala Harris,” Julia Buckner, lead organizer of the Mecklenburg Democrats, said to a room of about 300. “Doesn’t that feel good?”
The room erupted in cheers as Buckner displayed the early voting numbers for the state’s high-profile Democratic races on the big screen. Jeff Jackson’s lead over Dan Bishop in the attorney general’s race generated a roar of applause from the room.
“We couldn’t have done this without you!” Buckner said to the room of volunteers and supporters.
Cotham and Sidman supporters clash
6:24 p.m. Rep. Tricia Cotham and supporters of her Democratic challenger, Nicole Sidman, clashed at a voting precinct on Election Day, freelance journalist Bryan Anderson reported. The incident took place at the Davie Park precinct in Charlotte, Anderson reported.
Video posted to Anderson’s Substack, Anderson Alerts, shows a security worker telling Cotham to “leave people alone.” The video “appears to cut off” before the security worker talks to Sidman campaign volunteers, Anderson said.
The North Carolina House Democratic Caucus is monitoring reports related to this issue.
“The incident, while unfortunate, seemed to be appropriately handled by the security officer on site,” the caucus said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer.
Cotham and a campaign staffer did not immediately respond the Observer’s request for comment.
Cotham last year changed to the Republican Party soon after being elected as a Democrat.
On Tuesday, Cotham didn’t violate state law about electioneering and accused Sidman supporters of standing too close to the voting site in violation of state law, Anderson reported.
State Board of Elections spokesman Pat Gannon told the Observer the board asks “that all people associated with this election treat each other with dignity and respect.”
The county had not heard about the incident, Mecklenburg County Board of Elections spokeswoman Kristin Mavromatis told the Observer.
Gannon and Mavormatis’ statements did not address questions from an Observer reporter about whether anyone was asked to leave the polling site or if law enforcement was involved.
State extends voting in two NC precincts
4:15 p.m.: The bipartisan State Board of Elections voted to extend voting by 30 minutes in two precincts: one in Wilson County and one in Burke County, The News & Observer reported.
In both cases, the extension was granted after precincts had delays in starting voting once polls opened at 6:30 a.m.
The precinct in Wilson, Gardners Elementary School in Elm City, started nearly an hour and a half late after poll workers were unable to print authorization to vote forms. Stacy “Four” Eggers, a Republican member of the board, noted that precincts typically have manual backup procedures to avoid delays such as this.
“We’re unclear as to why that did not occur in this case, but certainly we will make very sure to have a lessons learned session,” Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the board, said.
The board voted unanimously to extend voting at Gardners School.
“I don’t think it is fair to punish the voters simply because a printer didn’t work,” Siobhan Millen, a Democrat on the board, said.
The precinct in Burke, Pilot Mountain, was delayed due to technological issues, according to Kenny Rhyne, the Burke elections director.
The North Carolina Republican Party submitted an affidavit to the board claiming that voting was delayed by about 40 minutes, during which time several voters left the line. The board voted 4-1 to extend the voting in Pilot Mountain, with Eggers dissenting.
Due to the extension, Burke and Wilson counties will have to wait until 8:00 p.m. to begin reporting results. All other counties can begin reporting at 7:30 p.m. when polls close.
Driving their votes
4 p.m. There was a steady trickle of voters heading into Ebenezer Baptist Church at 2020 W. Sugar Creek Road. Wait times were minimal.
“This was very smooth, and it was much faster than I anticipated,” said Rachel McGirt, 29. She voted for Kamala Harris, calling it an “historic casting.” She agreed with Harris’ policies on reproductive rights and economic stability.
“I truly believe that the policies that she’s trying to institute on a systematic level will have positive results for Black and brown people,” she said.
McGirt said she was nervous about North Carolina’s gubernatorial election between Democrat Josh Stein and Republican Mark Robinson. She said she believes Robinson’s policies will hurt women’s rights. “I’m honestly a little spooked,” she said.
Jelani Bey declined to say who he was voting for but said he’s concerned about economic stability and border control. “People’s incomes are not keeping up with the prices,” Bey said.
Gen Z poll worker
3:30 p.m. Outside of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library — University City Regional branch on East W.T. Harris Blvd., the light drizzle is turning into fat droplets of rain. But that isn’t stopping the poll lines from growing longer and longer.
“It’s been it’s been going really well, very smoothly,” said poll worker Kate Cruz, 26. “A lot of students here, more young people, which is very exciting to see as a Gen Z person. We’re trying to get everyone through here as quickly as possible and effectively as possible. As a poll worker, we’re all trying to help you guys. We want everything to go smoothly. We want everyone to vote.”
Cruz wanted to be a poll worker this year to provide the younger generation with representation. She said it was important for her to see people like herself working at the polls.
“I voted in the 2022 primaries. I saw a young person at the poll table and thought ... I’d never seen myself in that space before. I’d figured volunteer work is for old retired people. It’s honestly so easy to get involved in what’s happening locally and volunteer work. Everyone is so eager for young people to just step in and volunteer and help out. I’ve had so many of the older generations be receptive to me.
“So if you’re curious about something and you don’t see yourself as a young person in the space, be the first person in that space and other people will come.”
Wait times at this location are currently between an hour to an hour and a half. One of the biggest issues is residents not aware of their correct polling locations.
Cruz said this location is between two zip codes and many voters are students who are registered outside of this zone. When that happens, residents are given a provisional ballot.
“Check ahead of time where your precinct is and if you’re registered to vote. It’s so important, Cruz said. “There’s so many resources online on the county Board of Elections site. Just look them up. It will take a couple seconds to be informed, and I think that will help a little bit with the traffic we’re having of getting people to the right places at the right time.”
Student voters
Quintin Clark and Isavior Brooks, both students at UNC Charlotte and first-time voters, weren’t aware they were registered in different locations.
Both were told they would need a provisional ballot to vote but after waiting for an hour and half, they needed to head back to class.
“I was a little disappointed but it’s my fault,” Brooks, 18, said. “I’m not mad. But I am going to come back later.”
Both said they would be casting a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris based on character.
Bernice Carrillo, 19, is also a first time voter and was excited about the applause she received from poll workers.
She was also excited to be a part of the voting process.
“I’m glad that I’m able to participate in something that’s gonna actually make a difference,” Carrillo said. “Voting for our people. I’m not the 5% or 10% of rich Americans who will get a tax break. We’re regular civilians. I’m very grateful for my right to vote.”
Carrillo cast her vote for Harris because of her stance on abortion, women’s rights and marijuana laws.
As the rain got heavier, poll workers started handing out pizza to some of the waiting voters.
Cruz’s advice for folks heading to the polls is to double check your polling location.
“And bring an umbrella,” Cruz said.
DJs drop songs at random precincts
DJs are popping up randomly at some precincts in two area counties, board of elections officials told The Charlotte Observer.
3:18 p.m. “The biggest problem we had was no one with the group, whoever it is, called the office to find out which locations are restricted,” said Iredell County Board of Elections Director Susie Jordan. “They just showed up.”
The DJs made drops at four precincts. Jordan did not know if the DJs are affiliated with a group or what type of music they played.
“We told them that they had to leave,” Jordan said, “and we had no problems.”
As of 2 p.m., 13,000 people had voted in Iredell County. The county’s population is nearly 200,000, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. Adding in absentee and early voting, she said the number of ballots cast exceeds 2020.
“We have been very busy,” Jordan said.
2:57 p.m. Just north of Cabarrus, Rowan County Board of Elections director Sharon Main said DJs stopped without prior notification at four precincts. It’s one DJ at each precinct, she said.
”You can’t make this stuff up,” Main said.
She said the music can play as long as it’s not too loud and doesn’t interfere with curbside voting and the polling station isn’t restricted.
Other than the DJ “oddity,” voting in Rowan County is running smoothly with lines moving quickly, maybe 10 people deep, Main added.
There is a group called DJs at the Polls, which according to its website is “committed to making Election Day feel like a holiday.”
The national, non-partisan Get Out the Vote program places DJs in densely populated urban areas with underrepresented voters. The group, founded in 2008 in Philadelphia, has DJs in 11 states and cities including Charlotte, according to the website.
Board of Elections in Union and Gaston counties check-ins
2:36 p.m. “Turnout seems a little light but that’s probably because we had such a big voter turnout,” says Phillip Hinson, deputy director of Union County’s Board of Elections. Hinson said he’s been to several places and everything is running smoothly.
2:30 p.m. Gaston County Board of Election director Jame Ragan said “fairly quiet. Good turnout. No issues.”
Older voter drives into Gaston College officer, police say
1:42 p.m. Local police in Belmont are looking into a vehicle collision with an 89-year-old driver who hit a Gaston College campus security officer. The incident happened mid-morning in the parking area of a polling site at Gaston College. The officer sustained some injuries and was transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, Belmont police said.
Police say the driver had just completed his voting and was pulling out of his space. As he prepared to drive forward, the security officer noticed the driver was about to strike an orange cone positioned in the lot. The security officer attempted to move the cone. Unfortunately, the driver mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake, resulting in a low-speed impact, police said.
The officer was struck by the vehicle, causing him to slide onto the hood before falling to the ground.
Belmont police say at this time the injuries are non-life threatening and no citations have been issued.
Routine issues at polling sites
12:15 p.m. There have been some problems at polling locations, including complaints from residents who are not eligible to vote and people campaigning too close to polling sites, Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Public Information Manager Kristin Mavromatis told the Observer. However, Mavromatis noted it’s “nothing out of the ordinary.”
Police issue video Election Day advisory
11:30 a.m. CMPD issued an election video on X Tuesday assuring that their “ ... officers and government partners will be working diligently to make sure Election Day is a safe and simple process,” Major J.D. Thomas said in the tweet.
Michael Jordan endorsing Trump? Is it true?
11 a.m. Claims that former Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan endorsed former President Donald Trump have swirled on social media. The claim stems from a Sunday post on X, formerly Twitter, that garnered nearly 2 million views, Reuters reported.
The truth is the famed former North Carolina basketball player did not make an endorsement in the presidential election, a member of his family’s public relations team said on X Monday. Read additional details by Emily Vespa from the News & Observer here.
Charlotte police warn about traffic
8:36 a.m. Expect heavy traffic and long lines at precincts, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said on X.
“Please be courteous and respectful to poll workers and each other,” police urged.
Huntersville voters out early
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.
Before the school bell
6 a.m. 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.”
Waiting to vote at dawn
5:30 a.m. 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 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.”
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.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 9:11 AM.