CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It looks like the Democratic presidential race is increasing voter turnout in the North Carolina primary.

Eyewitness News learned there was a record turnout in early voting in Mecklenburg County. Typically less than 1 percent of voters cast ballots in early voting, but in this primary it was 8 percent. The statistics show 85 percent of those people voted Democrat, even thought only 44 percent of voters in the county are registered Democrats.

The director of the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections said that's likely because the Democratic presidential race attracted so much attention. Mike Dickerson said he expects a big turnout Tuesday as well.

"Your turnouts could be equivalent to what you usually see in a general election," Dickerson said.

Dickerson said to expect 40 percent voter turnout in Tuesday's primary, which is considered to be extraordinary for a primary.