At a final rally in Raleigh before Election Day, former President Donald Trump expressed confidence in winning North Carolina, a state he previously won in both 2016 and 2020. “North Carolina’s reliable for me,” he said, reflecting his belief that victory there was highly likely.
Trump's campaign prioritized early voting efforts across the country, with North Carolina seeing more than 4.2 million early ballots cast—an all-time high. Including absentee votes, 57 percent of the state’s 7.8 million registered voters had participated by November 3, with the final numbers potentially even higher due to processing delays.
Lorena Castillo-Ritz, chair of the Mecklenburg County GOP, noted that efforts focused on low-propensity voters—those registered but who hadn’t voted in 2020—played a significant role in boosting turnout.
Supporters at the rally, such as Tony Caraccio, a young HVAC professional, believed these increased early voting numbers would favor Trump. “There was a strong push for early voting that we haven’t seen before,” he said, hoping the surge would lead to a secure victory.
Even areas heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina reported a high turnout, with 58.9 percent of voters casting their ballots. Trump commended the resilience of the voters in these regions, many of whom still turned out despite facing considerable hardship.
In the final days, the opposing campaign redirected ad funding and shifted strategies to appeal to reluctant conservative voters. Harris, speaking in Charlotte, emphasized a message of unity and promised to work for all Americans if elected, contrasting her approach to Trump’s, whom she accused of pursuing divisive policies.
North Carolina, holding 16 Electoral College votes, is a crucial battleground. As Election Day approaches, both sides are focused on maximizing voter turnout, with Trump rallying Republicans to secure what he described as a pivotal win.
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