Alachua County residents heading to the polls are quickly outnumbering early voters from the 2004 presidential election.
Supervisor of Elections Pam Carpenter reported 3,550 people had voted Monday, and 3,357 on Tuesday.
In 2004, 16,000 residents voted during the 15-day early voting period, Carpenter said.
She credited the apparent increase to a larger number of polling places and a greater awareness of the option since it was introduced in 2004.
In Alachua County, Democrats heavily outnumbered Republicans at the polls.
About 68 percent of those who voted on Monday were registered Democrats, and about 18 percent were registered Republicans, according to numbers submitted to the State Department.
Almost 11 percent were Independents, and the rest were unknown or registered with third parties.
UF College Democrats President Zach Moller said students should consider early voting for convenience and time-saving.
Joshua Simmons, chairman of Gators for McCain, said the group is encouraging students to vote by absentee ballot because it gives students flexibility about where or when they cast their votes.
Early voting will be available until Nov. 1.
