Southwest Florida voters flocked to the polls Monday morning on the first day of early voting.
The number of voters, in some cases, broke records.
The polls opened in Collier County at 9 a.m., and there were long lines at some locations.
Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier said it was the busiest first hour of early voting that Collier County has ever seen.
“Almost 1,200 voters took advantage in that first 60-minute window, which is fantastic,” Blazier said.
Voters on both sides of the aisle were eager to have their say.
Barb Whitfield said abortion rights were among the issues that brought her to vote.
“Abortion rights are important to me. Obviously, not for myself, but for other women in the country. For my granddaughter,” Whitfield said.
John Oliveri called the election a turning point for America. “If you don't vote, you've given up the right to complain,” Oliveri said.
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich is a Collier County voter and among those who turned out to vote early along with his wife, Callista Gingrich.
“I hope every American is going to go out and vote. No matter who you're going to vote for. It's part of how we survive as a free country,” Newt Gingrich said.
Florida, however, has had its setbacks in the last month as hurricanes Helene and Milton did extensive damage along the coast, and thousands are making rebuilding a priority.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was asked if he thought the storm’s damage could have an impact on people going to the polls.
“I think we're going to have a big turnout. There is a lot of energy. We all know we've got to get out there and vote,” Scott said.
The vast majority of votes so far in Florida have been cast by mail ballots, including by state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, who said she voted by mail while accompanying Scott and Gingrich to the polls.
Vote-by-mail numbers are actually down after the beginning wiped clean the vote-by-mail requests at the beginning of the year following a new state election law. Anyone who wants a vote-by-mail ballot sent to their home has until Oct. 24 to request one.