The number of registered Democrats and Republicans who voted early this year was tied at exactly 2,855 voters each, according to the Polk County Board of Elections Office. The county&39;s early vote also included 2,106 Unaffiliated voters and five Libertarian voters.

Three locations were available for early voting in Polk County this year, and 4,790 voted at the board of elections office, 1,185 voted at the Green Creek Family Life Center and 1,001 voted at the Mill Spring Fire Department. There were also 845 absentee ballots turned in by yesterday around noon. Absentee ballots were due by the end of yesterday. Polk County sent out 931 absentee ballots for both civilian and military residents.

Polk County now has 15,120&bsp; registered voters, as about 74 residents took advantage of the opportunity during early voting to register to vote at the same time as they cast their vote.

In most precincts, about half of the registered voters have already voted, but many more are expected to vote today. (See front page chart for early voting by precinct.)

Polls will open today from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. For information about poll locations, see the box above.

The board of elections office says it is geared up and ready for the turnout today at the county&squo;s seven polling locations. More than 70 volunteers are helping with the polling places this year.