South County Library, the Ballantyne-area early voting site, has drawn 7,521 voters in the first week of balloting, ranking second among all 25 Mecklenburg County polling locations.
The county is on pace to break its midterm early voting record, with more than 106,000 ballots cast in seven days, the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections reported. The Charlotte Observer first reported the milestone and the site-by-site rankings.
Only the former University City Library, at 7,611 votes, drew more early voters as of Thursday, Oct. 22. Steele Creek Masonic Lodge followed at 7,107, Cornelius Town Hall at 6,451 and South Park Library at 6,231.
What's drawing voters
Mecklenburg Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson told the Observer that enthusiasm about what is on the ballot is a major factor in the turnout surge. This year's races include an open U.S. Senate seat, competitive U.S. House contests and a proposed state constitutional amendment that would cap property tax rates.
That property tax amendment carries particular weight for Ballantyne homeowners. The amendment would write a cap on property tax rates into the state constitution, though the specific mechanics of how the cap would work have not been detailed in available public records.
Voters interviewed by the Observer at the University City site cited the amendment, the Senate race and the House contests as reasons they showed up early. No voter interviews from the South County Library site were included in the Observer's reporting.
How Ballantyne residents can vote
Early voting continues through Saturday, Oct. 31, at all 25 Mecklenburg County sites. Voters can cast a ballot at any location in the county, not just their assigned precinct.
Same-day voter registration is available during the early voting period. Residents who recently moved to the area and missed the regular registration deadline can register and vote in one trip.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. On that day, voters must go to their assigned precinct.
