Nearly 45% of Durham voters have cast ballots as Election Day approaches

Durham Local Government Guide | Southpoint Access

Who represents you, and how can you reach them? Our Durham local government guide connects you with elected officials, public meetings, and SeeGov video highlights.

Southpoint AccessWes Platt

Nearly 45% of Durham County's eligible voters cast ballots in person during early voting, according to the Durham County Board of Elections, as attention turns to Tuesday's election.

The county's Election Early Voting Turnout dashboard reports 112,845 ballots through Saturday, Oct. 31, and 253,273 eligible voters. That puts in-person early voting participation at 44.6%.

The count includes 7,978 ballots on the final Saturday. Friday, Oct. 30, was the busiest day, with 9,862 ballots. The county cautions that its totals remain unofficial until canvass.

These figures cover in-person early voting. Mail ballots aren't included in the 112,845 total or the 44.6% calculation.

Durham's early voting outpaced the previous two midterms

The county's reported 2026 total is 41.2% above the 79,928 accepted in-person early ballots recorded in state data for 2022 and 39.0% above the 81,185 recorded for 2018.

In-person early voting represented about 33.3% of registered voters in 2022 and 35.0% in 2018, compared with the county dashboard's 44.6% this year.

The increase amounts to nearly 33,000 more in-person early ballots than in 2022. It doesn't establish what final election turnout will be. Some voters may have shifted from Election Day to early voting, and the totals don't reveal candidate choices.

The voting periods also differed: Early voting lasted 18 calendar days in 2018, compared with 17 in 2022 and 2026. Sites and operating hours changed between elections.

South Regional Library was Durham's busiest site

South Regional Library handled 19,662 ballots, the largest total among Durham's 10 early voting locations. North Regional Library followed with 15,628, and East Regional Library recorded 14,992.

Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship handled 12,878 ballots, while the Board of Elections office on South Roxboro Street recorded 11,771.

More than 2.8 million ballots statewide

The N.C. State Board of Elections' Nov. 1 report recorded 2,724,424 accepted in-person early ballots and 92,396 accepted mail ballots through Oct. 31, for a combined 2,816,820.

That combined count represents 35.68% of the state's eligible voters, according to the report. Unlike Durham's 44.6% figure above, the statewide 35.68% includes mail ballots.

Statewide in-person early voting was 35.5% above the comparable 2022 count of 2,010,890. Including mail ballots, participation was 30.9% higher than the 2,152,378 recorded at the comparable point in 2022.

Tuesday's voting takes place at assigned precincts

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. For registered voters who haven't cast a ballot, polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Here's what to know:

• Go to your assigned polling place. The early voting option of choosing any site in your county has ended. Use the state's Voter Search to check your registration, Election Day location, and sample ballot.
• Stay in line if you're there by closing time. Voters in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Same-day registration generally isn't available on Election Day. That opportunity ended with early voting. State law provides limited exceptions, including certain people who became citizens or regained voting rights after the regular deadline. See the state's registration deadline guidance.
• Curbside voting is available at every polling place for voters who can't enter without physical assistance because of age or disability. Look for signs directing voters to the curbside voting area.

Bring photo ID, but ask about options if you don't have it

Voters will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID. Common options include a North Carolina driver's license, a U.S. passport, or a county-issued voter photo ID. Certain student and public employee IDs are also approved. The state lists accepted IDs and expiration rules.

The address on your photo ID doesn't have to match your voter registration address.

If you have an acceptable ID but forgot it, you can retrieve it and return to vote. Alternatively, you can cast a provisional ballot and bring acceptable ID to your county elections office by noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, according to the state's 2026 voting guidance.

If you're unable to show an acceptable ID, ask an election worker about a provisional ballot and a Photo ID Exception Form. Explain truthfully why you can't show ID, including why you can't provide it at the county elections office by the deadline, and follow the officials' instructions.

Election-night numbers won't be certified results

The State Board will publish unofficial results after polls close Tuesday. Those numbers can change as election officials review provisional ballots and other eligible ballots during the post-election process.

County canvass meetings are scheduled for Nov. 13, with the state canvass scheduled for Nov. 24, according to the State Board's election reporting guide.

Get Connected

• Send email to ⁠⁠⁠your neighborhood news guy: wes.platt@southpointaccess.news
• Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Threads.
• Connect on Instagram!
• Join ⁠⁠⁠our Discord community⁠⁠⁠
• Join the Southpoint Access subreddit!

Southpoint Access Events Calendar

From Durham County Library programs and family activities to special events at local businesses and key public meetings like the City Council, County Commission, and Planning Board, our calendar brings it all together in one easy-to-use resource.

Southpoint AccessWes Platt

🤝 Support Our Sponsors

Local journalism in South Durham survives thanks to the generous businesses and organizations that make this work possible. 🧭

By supporting these sponsors, you’re helping Southpoint Access continue to deliver trusted, hyperlocal news and resources for our community - from school updates to neighborhood stories that keep South Durham connected.

Want to become a sponsor? Sign up here!

💛 Shop local. Hire local. Support those who support Southpoint Access.