Union County voters have cast 11,400 early ballots, placing the county second in the Charlotte metro area behind only Mecklenburg County.

The figures, reported by WBTV using North Carolina State Board of Elections data, include both in-person and absentee votes as of Oct. 17. Mecklenburg led the region with 51,645 ballots, followed by Union County, Gaston County at 10,046 and Cabarrus County at 9,795.

Statewide, 501,321 ballots had been cast as of Sunday, Oct. 18. At the same point in the 2022 general election cycle, 362,643 ballots had been turned in, a roughly 38% increase. Of the 2026 total, 461,048 came from in-person early voting, compared with 304,920 in-person ballots at the same stage four years ago.

Early voting in North Carolina began Thursday, Oct. 15, with 370 sites open statewide, WFAE reported. The state said 74% of voters cast ballots early during the 2024 general election.

Locally, the Town of Waxhaw's Recreation Barn at 5412 Waxhaw-Marvin Road is serving as a Union County early voting site, according to the town's website. The Community Room in Building A is the voting center.

During early voting, Union County voters can cast ballots at any early voting site in the county, according to WFAE. That differs from Election Day, when voters must go to their assigned precinct. Voters who missed the Oct. 9 registration deadline can still register and vote at an early voting site through Oct. 31.

Beyond candidates, Union County voters face a $200 million bond, plus interest, to fund a new jail. The bond would cover design, construction, furnishing and equipping of the facility, according to the Charlotte Observer. The county estimates it would increase property taxes by $31.10 per year for every $100,000 in assessed property value.

Voters will also see three proposed state constitutional amendments on the ballot addressing voter photo ID laws, state income tax caps and local property taxes, WBTV reported.

Through Oct. 18, registered Democrats had cast 45.36% of early ballots statewide, followed by unaffiliated voters at 34.36% and Republicans at 20.08%, according to the State Board of Elections.

Early voting runs through 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.