AUSTIN, Texas — Long lines and high energy are marking the first days of the early voting period as hundreds of thousands of Texans show up to cast their ballots.

Voters in Travis County are lining up from morning to evening at locations like the Menchaca Road Branch of the Austin Public Library, with many surprised, and even happy, to see the crowds.

“I’m very excited to see that people are turning out,” Liz Cecka said after casting her ballot. “I did think I was going to get out of here faster, so I’m not complaining, but it is a surprise.”

On the first day of early voting, the Secretary of State’s office reported 40,077 Travis County residents cast ballots. The number nears the 46,610 who voted on the first day of the early voting period ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

It is also markedly higher than the 25,352 Travis County residents who voted early during the first day of the 2022 midterms.

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Other major Texas counties, including Harris and Dallas, also reported record-breaking turnout for the start of early voting.

Political science professor Cal Jillson, of Southern Methodist University, said the high turnout in urban areas may prove to favor one party over the other.

“I think there’s a good bit of energy more on the Democrat side than on the Republican side, but the question is, when Republicans see the high turnout number in Democrat areas, do they step up their game?” Jillson said.

“It begins with an advantage in Democrat enthusiasm that will have to be matched or nearly matched by Republicans in Texas who have a somewhat larger base, but they still can’t lag too far in turnout and still prevail in this election,” he said.

For many, waiting in line is a small price for the chance to vote on important issues.

Cecka listed “human rights” as her motivation.

Another voter, Tracey Rogers, listed affordability and infrastructure as her top issues.

“The fact that gas is going up, groceries are going up. I’m retired, and I’m definitely having to pay more attention to what I’m buying,” Rogers said.

As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening, the Travis County turnout website showed that more than 33,000 people had voted so far today. Early voting will continue until Friday, Oct. 30.