HARRISON, Ark. — In Arkansas today, residents are heading to the polls to cast their ballots early — ahead of the November 6, general election.

Harrison County Clerk Crystal Graddy says she’s surprised by the large turnout they’ve had.

Early voting started yesterday and she said they had more than 700 show up by noon on Tuesday — and they were still flowing through the doors.

“We do have a mayor’s race..so that could have something to do with it. There’s not any county races, so we sort of expected a lower turnout without any local county races,” said Graddy.

Early turnout has doubled what it would normally be for a midterm election Graddy said — and she could only speculate as to why.

“I think it’s just kind of trickle down from..you know the national level. There’s just a lot of turmoil throughout the natio and I feel like that’s bringing people in locally to vote…even though there’s really not a whole lot on our local ballot,” said Graddy, “We’re very fortunate that we have a vote center with easy access in and out…and we’re loving the new machines that we have.”

For some people, like Betty Pearson, voting earlier, is easier and more convenient.”

“I use a cane most of the time and it’s so much easier to get to come in at your leisure and not have to wait in line,” Pearson said.

For others, it’s a matter of..age.

” I do it early so I don’t forget…you know run up on the day to vote and you’re doing something, where you forget to do it,” said early voter Thomas Black.

Molly McCorkindale explained why she votes early, “Now, that I’ve reached this age — I’m saying , hey..things can happen at this age that would prevent from voting, like dying or something.”

Early voting let’s residents cast ballots at the polls, or they can use absentee ballots.