North Carolina Republicans embrace early voting as Trump rallies support in Gastonia

In North Carolina's 2024 election, Republicans are actively participating in early voting, with over 4 million early votes cast. This marks a shift from previous elections, where Democrats led in early voting. Former President Trump’s campaign is promoting early voting as a safer option. At a recent rally in Gastonia, many attendees reported voting early. Some expressed concerns about the length of the early voting period, fearing it could lead to issues. Trump reiterated claims of election fraud from 2020 and emphasized the need for strong voter turnout. Trump also addressed immigration, claiming it contributes to rising crime, despite evidence showing crime rates have fallen. He criticized FEMA's response to recent hurricanes in North Carolina and commented on disappointing job growth figures, attributing them to strikes and natural disasters.