CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thursday, July 7, marked the first day of early voting for North Carolina counties holding local elections and second primaries.

During this time, a nonpartisan group is working to ensure people are registered to vote.

You Can Vote works to empower all people in North Carolina to use their right to vote.

You Can Vote's regional organizing director, Brandon Rivers, says the group doesn’t advocate for any specific campaign or issue.

“We focus on your human rights and your rights, which is voting,” Rivers said. "We don’t care who you are voting for, we just want to make sure that you are registered to vote."

Rivers was at the Transit Center in Charlotte Friday morning asking people if they are registered and answering questions.

“Right now we have an election date during the summer, most people aren’t familiar with voting in the summer,” he said.

Rivers says the group advocates for underserved communities.

“If you go to a lot of them, many don’t know where polling places are, some of them don’t have vehicles, some don’t have money to get there,” Rivers said.

So, Rivers is bringing the access to them by working to break barriers and ensure everyone can exercise their right to vote.

"Your vote is your voice,” he said.

During the early voting period, you can register and vote at the same site on the same day.

You can also learn more about registration through You Can Vote.

Here’s a list of important dates. 

Early voting ends on July 23 and Election Day is July 26.