North Carolina had already shattered its 2020 early-voting record, but the State Board of Elections revealed Sunday that more than 4.2 million voters cast ballots at early in-person voting centers, with turnout in Hurricane Helene-affected western counties exceeding the rest of the state.

Early in-person voting, which ended Saturday, has grown in popularity in the presidential battleground state over the past few election cycles. People can register to vote and cast their ballots at early voting locations.

During the early voting period four years ago, a record 3.63 million individuals cast their ballots at hundreds of locations throughout all 100 counties. This year, the state eclipsed that sum by Thursday, a few days before the term concluded, the board reported.

As of Sunday morning, 4,465,548 voters, including absentee voting, have cast votes in the general election, accounting for 57% of the state’s 7.8 million registered voters, according to officials. However, turnout may be somewhat higher due to a lag between when ballots are cast and when data is posted.

Turnout in the 25 western counties hit by Hurricane Helene was 58.9%, or 2% higher than statewide turnout, according to officials.

“I am proud of all of our 100 county boards of elections and the thousands of election workers who are making this happen in their communities,” stated state board Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell in a press release. “I’m especially proud of the workers and voters in Western North Carolina. “You are an inspiration to all of us.”

This year’s high early turnout was largely due to an effort by state and national Republicans to encourage individuals to vote early. Their message contrasts sharply with the 2020 election, when former President Donald Trump claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting was plagued with fraud.

In addition to the president, North Carolina citizens will elect a new governor, attorney general, and many other statewide positions, as well as members of the United States House and the state General Assembly.

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