Wilmington, N.C. -- Supporters of Barack Obama took full advantage of Halloween to promote early voting in Wimington, North Carolina. About 120 supporters took to the streets wearing Barack Obama gear, masks, and othe creative costumes. The crowd was estimated at about 120, including many children who trick or treated afterwards.
North Carolina ended its early voting period on November 1. Many counties extended the early voting hours on Saturday until 5:00 pm from the traditional schedule of 9:00 am to 1:00 pm due to heavy demand. In New Hanover County, where the voting hours were NOT extended, voters still waited for more than 4 hours. The last site closed at 5:40 pm.
Early voting has surpassed all expectations this year. Daily Kos reports that North Carolina already reached 66.2% of of total votes cast in 2004.
The breakdown for North Carolina for early voting is as follows:
2,350,712 early voters -- 66.2% of total 2004 vote
Democrat: 51.8%
Republican: 30%
Under 45: 36.6%
65+: 22.7%
White: 69.5%
Black: 26.3%
Men: 42.7%
Women: 56.4%
As of November 1st, the Institute of Southern Studies' Southern Swingability Rankings (http://www.southernstudies.org/facingsouth/) show Obama +1.5 ahead of McCain in North Carolina.