If you showed up early to cast your ballot for next month's election, you weren't alone. A huge turnout on the first day of early voting meant a long wait for many across North Carolina.
"A husband and wife decided not to take any chances on having their votes counted and decided to brave the long line at Bank of America Stadium to cast their ballots," WBT's Brett Jensen noted
The main reason wasn't uncertainty with voting by mail, but rather concerns with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Why the couple got there early was simple. "In case I get sick," the woman told Jensen. "I wanted to go ahead and have this out of the way so that I wouldn't have to come out and vote contagious."
However, the couple felt this was the best way to have their votes counted.
"Definitely a joint decision and we're both of the same mindset to get this done as early as possible. And as guaranteed-a-way as possible," the man told Jensen. "Eliminate any potential for confusion or (voting) improperly."
Overall, health and public interaction remain a factor for those people heading to the polls early. WBT's Joe Gillespie met on woman who was thankful to be voting knowing that others weren't as fortunate. The sentiments of many who're casting their ballot around the county right now.
"It's weird. It's just weird how everything is, but we're out here," the woman told Gillespie.
Several sites for early voting opened in North Carolina on Thursday. Two of the largest sites are Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center in Charlotte. For a complete list of polling places, please visit www.ncsbe.gov.