Thousands Cast Early Votes In Mecklenburg County

A steady flow of people made their way to the polls for early voting this weekend. Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson said so far, the numbers look positive.

"This year I think we're a little further ahead than maybe two years ago, four years ago for certain," Dickerson said.

But Dickerson said the early voting turnout will be nothing compared to the crowds we saw last year during the presidential race. Then, almost a quarter of a million people showed up to cast their ballots before Election Day.

Statistics show voter turnout typically drops significantly in the year after a presidential race.

Election records show in 2004, more than 91,000 people voted early in the general election. But just under 14,000 people cast early ballots in 2005.

Last year, more than 208,000 people participated in early voting in Mecklenburg County. With another week left in this year's early voting Dickerson says so far a little more than 3,200 people have come to the polls.

But Dickerson said this year's ballot is packed with several hot seats from the mayor's race and city council to the school board. He expects voter interest will still be high.

"There is something out there for everyone to vote for," Dickerson said.

Early voting ends on Saturday, Oct. 31. Find a list of early voting sites and times Click Here