As expected, NC early voting favors Democrats

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media outside a voter service center, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

RALEIGH — After the N.C. Board of Elections dropped its early voting numbers at 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 3, there was a clear lead for Democrats over Republicans. This was expected and will likely change as Election Day votes are counted.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden received 1,326,827 one-stop early votes and 578,820 absentee votes, while President Donald Trump received 1,318,476 one-stop early votes and 244,443 absentee votes.

Likewise, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham had 1,268,165 one-stop early votes and 549,425 absentee votes, while Republican incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis had 1,282,575 one-stop early votes and 246,757 absentee votes.

In the North Carolina governor’s race, Democratic incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper had 1,424,632 one-stop early votes and 611,815 absentee votes, while current lieutenant governor and Republican challenger Dan Forest had 1,277,791 one-stop early votes and 220,279 absentee votes.