Early voters stressing importance of Raleigh mayoral election

Saturday kicked off the first weekend for early voting. Saturday's voting wrapped up at 1 p.m. and, as of that time, 2,885 people had come out to vote. Those are unofficial numbers from the Wake County Board of Elections.

There are seven early-voting sites in the area.

Municipal election guide

There are two races that are bringing people out to the polls, the race for Raleigh’s mayor and Cary’s mayor. There are six candidates running to be the next mayor of Raleigh. You’ve probably seen their signs throughout all of Raleigh.

Early voters tell us they’re passionate about the direction Raleigh is heading in. Casting your vote here could make a difference.

Alice Garrett has lived in Raleigh 40 years and has seen it change, right outside her own front door.

"Gentrification is changing it and most of the people who were in my neighborhood are now gone," Garrett said. "A lot of people are being displaced and where they’re placing them, I don’t know.

Affordable housing and the city’s growth is at the center of Raleigh’s mayoral campaign. It’s one of the reasons, Garrett cast her vote early.

"I decided to go ahead and do my civic duty and vote early, and that way I can have time to encourage other people to go out and vote, even take some people to the polls," Garrett said.

Garrett said she is passionate about who’s next to lead the city through growth and development.

"We need an advocate and someone who’s going to do the right thing not for some but for all people," Garrett said.

And for those who believe a local race like this doesn’t matter Garrett said casting your vote will make a difference.

"I think this mayoral race will determine what to ask, takes place with Raleigh for many years to come, many years to come," Garrett said.