Saturday marked the first weekend of early voting in North Carolina. Overall, the state had strong numbers for turnout earlier this week even as western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Early voting is underway in North Carolina, but one Charlotte man was stunned to learn his vote was already processed when he arrived to cast his ballot.

A record 353,166 voters hit the polls Thursday setting a state record for turnout on Day One of early voting, state election officials announced on Friday. Early in-person voting begins in North Carolina on Thursday “Yesterday’s turnout is a clear sign that voters are energized about this election,

Early voting runs through 3 p.m. on Nov. 2, in North Carolina. WFAE has created a supplemental FAQ to answer additional questions voters may have before they head to the polls, including questions we’ve heard from the public.

North Carolinians came out in record numbers on the first day of early voting Thursday for the 2024 general election, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. A total of 353,166 ballots were accepted at sites statewide,

North Carolina broke its record for turnout on the first day of early voting, the state board of elections announced.

The more than 353,000 ballots cast signaled enthusiasm in the battleground state, but the significance of the high turnout was unclear.

"The conditions improve each and every day," the executive director of North Carolina's State Board of Elections said.

In spite of the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, a record number of North Carolinians casted a vote on the first day of early voting in the state.