MATTHEWS, N.C. — With less than a month until the election and just days before statewide early voting opens, candidates are ramping up their campaigns in Charlotte.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein stopped in Matthews on Sunday to encourage voters to get out to the polls.
He was joined by NC Senate candidate Woodson Bradley and NC House candidate Nicole Sidman.
All three candidates hit on downballot voting and "breaking the supermajority," meaning flipping the power currently held by Republicans in both the state House and state Senate. Currently, there are enough GOP members to override vetos from the Governor.
The whole event was underscored by the devastation Helene brought to Western North Carolina.
"All you have to do is go to Western North Carolina to see the absolute best. Folks coming together," Stein said. "North Carolinians are first in line to help other North Carolinians who are struggling.”
WCNC Charlotte caught up with Stein after his speech and asked about the biggest concerns facing Western North Carolina.
In his role as Attorney General, Stein is focused on price gouging. He says his office has received more than 300 complaints from the region about the prices of gas, hotel rooms, and groceries.
"There are always going to be a few people who try to exploit people’s desperation to make a quick buck. That’s why we have an anti-price gouging law. That’s why I aggressively enforce it," Stein said.
WCNC Charlotte also asked about another big concern: access to voting in areas devastated by the storm.
“Folks need to be able to cast their ballot. It’s the most foundational right that we have in our democracy. And I know that the state board of election, these county boards of election are working night and day to come up with plans so that everybody who wants to vote who’s eligible can vote safely and securely.”
The state Board of Elections did approve a list of emergency measures for the hardest-hit areas. Early voting begins Thursday.