SoDu Morning Brief: More Than 14,500 Cast Early Ballots in Durham

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🌤️South Durham Weather: Nov. 3 Forecast

Looking for the latest weather update for South Durham, NC? Here's your hyperlocal SoDu forecast:

Morning: Patchy fog from 8–10 a.m. Expect a gray start, then gradual clearing late morning.
Afternoon High: 66°F with a northwest breeze 7–9 mph and gusts up to 18 mph.
Tonight: Clear and chilly, dipping to around 40°F with a light NW wind 3–6 mph.

Neighborly tip: Give yourself a few extra minutes for the morning drive in South Durham - fog may reduce visibility near schools and along I-40/NC-751. By lunch, skies brighten; after sunset, grab a jacket for evening practices or dog walks.

Durham 2025 Early Voting: 14,540 Ballots Cast Before Election Day

As of Nov. 1, 14,540 voters cast ballots before Nov. 4’s full-blown election day – a 3,000-vote improvement over the primary in October, which saw 11,256 ballots turned in.

Once again, women, Democrats, and people over 41 dominated the early polls, according to the Durham County Board of Elections dashboard. The busiest early voting site: South Regional Library (4,214 votes) followed by the Durham County Board of Elections office on South Roxboro Street (3,226).

In the city’s municipal wards, Ward 2 ranked first for early voter turnout, with 5,704 ballots, followed by Ward 3 (4,456) and Ward 1 (4,246).

The Durham precincts that saw the most early voters included:

• Precinct 32: 863 votes (On election day, voters go to Neal Middle School at 201 Baptist Rd.)
• Precinct 51: 702 votes (Southwest Elementary School at 2320 Cook Rd.)
• Precinct 54: 649 votes (South Regional Library at 4505 S. Alston Ave.)
• Precinct 35-5: 554 votes (Zakat Foundation of America Community Center at 5110 Revere Rd.)
• Precinct 23: 540 votes (Holt Elementary School at 4019 Holt School Rd.)

On Tuesday, polls open at 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Candidates on the ballot are:

• Durham Mayor: Leonardo Williams (incumbent) vs. Anjanee Bell
• Ward 1: DeDreana Freeman (incumbent) vs. Matt Kopac
• Ward 2: Mark-Anthony Middleton (incumbent) vs. Shanetta Burris
• Ward 3: Chelsea Cook (incumbent) vs. Diana Medoff

🥪 Durham Public Schools Lunch Menus – Nov. 3-7, 2025

📌 Schools are closed Tuesday for a teacher workday/municipal election. All student meals are free. Menus include choice of milk, fresh fruit, and 100% juice. Items subject to change. Get the full week of menus here.

🎟️ Events in South Durham – Nov. 3

All Day
🕊️ Backyard Birds of North Carolina Scavenger Hunt (Day 1 of 27) — Durham County Library
📍 Southwest Regional Library — family-friendly, drop in anytime

9–11 a.m.
🏛️ Durham Board of County Commissioners Work Session — Public meeting
📍 200 E Main St

10–10:45 a.m.
🪑 Chair Exercise — Durham Parks & Recreation
📍 Holton Career & Resource Center — gentle movement, all levels

10:30–11 a.m.
📚 Preschool Storytime — Durham County Library
📍 South Regional Library — perfect for little ones

6–7 p.m.
💼 Maximizing Social Security — Durham County Library
📍 Main Library, Rm #3214 (300 N. Roxboro St) — free financial education

7–11 p.m.
🎲 Board Game Night — Moon Dog Meadery
📍 1104 Broad St — casual, social, buy a drink & play

📅 More local happenings on the SoDu Events Calendar.

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Southpoint Access: Supporting Hope Valley Elementary PTA

South Durham neighbors: help fund local news and local classrooms.

From now through Dec. 31, 2025, Southpoint Access will share a portion of every revenue stream with the Hope Valley Elementary PTA (HVE PTA):

• 20% of subscriptions (after standard processing fees)
• 10% of donations (after fees)
• 10% of sponsorships (net of documented hard costs)

🔗 Read the full story in Southpoint Access!

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