Raleigh, NC – The NC Network for Fair, Safe and Secure elections is pleased to note that more than 2.1 million people (including 819,553 Democrats, 673,117 Republicans, and 649,483 Unaffiliated) have voted in NC during the early voting period, at 359 polling locations, without any major incidents or disruptions. That number represents almost 29% of registered voters.  Our well-trained elections administrators handled same day registrations, curb side voting, bi-partisan observers, and millions of voters who found early voting sites safe, secure, and well-staffed. North Carolinians from all political parties, and those unaffiliated, showed that they can support their candidates with civil behavior and with respect for all voters.

Former NC House Speaker Pro Tem Skip Stam, a Republican member of the NC Network, stated, “these positive early voting experiences show that North Carolinians care about democracy, and that we support each person’s right to vote safely and securely.” Democratic attorney Janice Cole, who served on the panel for the Edenton NC Trusted Elections town hall, added, “Democracy is not a spectator sport. It's the combined efforts of us all, across party lines, to build and maintain a safe and secure voting system.”

The NC Network for Fair, Safe and Secure Elections hosted a series of 15 town halls across the state, one in each congressional district and a virtual event for those unable to attend in-person. This Trusted Elections Tour featured elections professionals, cyber security experts, and attorneys to provide information on the electoral process, build trust in our voting system, and strengthen civil discourse. 

These town halls reached over 1,100 people in person and on-line, and well over one million through media reports. These audience members were able to ask questions directly to election administrators about topics ranging from electronic voting machines and hacking, to the adjudication of absentee and provisional ballots, to the legal process for dealing with challenges, recounts, and fraud allegations.

“Many thanks to the panelists and experts who joined our town halls to inform voters about our system in NC,” Jennifer Roberts, a co-leader for the NC Network, added. “We also appreciate the media’s help in spreading accurate information, which clearly has helped voters know that their votes are safe and secure.”  The virtual town hall can be viewed at www.NCTrustedElections.com. 

The North Carolina Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections is a bipartisan, grassroots effort initiated by The Carter Center. Led by former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, the network is made up of civic, business, and religious leaders and citizens from both sides of the political aisle. Members will serve as community advocates for peaceful political engagement and trusted elections, and work to foster confidence in electoral processes and address disinformation.