LITTLE ROCK, Pulaski County — More than 8,000 people voted on the first day of early voting in Pulaski County, setting a record.
As of 6:30 p.m. Monday, there were over 8,042 votes counted, according to Pulaski County Clerk Terri Hollingsworth.
In the 2016 election, there were a total of 6,541 total early votes on the first day polls were open in Pulaski County. In 2012, 5,825 votes were counted.
“I know there was a lot of concerns with the pandemic if that would affect voter turnout but if anything voter turnout is bigger than expected," Pulaski County Election Commissioner Joshua Price said.
Price said the downtown Little Rock location at the Regional Building, more than 1,000 people voted on Monday alone.
"This is the sixth location I've visited today out of the 12 early voting locations in Pulaski County and they've all reported tremendous, tremendous turnout with lines wrapped around the building," Price said.
Some voters reported waiting more than two hours to vote at various locations. Price said the county is working to fix this.
"We're already moving some things around as far as additional poll books, additional voting machines at some locations and staffing some extra poll workers," he said.
This is the first year the county also had a drive-thru drop-off for absentee ballots. Pulaski County Clerk Terri Hollingsworth said more than 400 people went through the line.
"We have already received well over 12,000 absentee ballots back," Hollingsworth said.
Early voting throughout the state lasts until Monday, Nov. 2. No matter where you live in Pulaski County, you can vote at any early voting location. Those locations will also stay open on Nov. 3.
Reminder: If you are still in line to vote when the polls close at 6 p.m., you can still vote.
For more information on voting and deadlines, click here.