The number of early-bird voters casting ballots on the first day of polling has almost doubled since the last election, with inner-city seats and high-profile clashes – such as former prime minister Tony Abbott's battle for Warringah – attracting the biggest crowds.

Official counts show there were 122,771 votes at pre-election polling stations on Monday, a figure that has experts predicting early votes will reach a new high.

First-day early voting has almost doubled compared to last federal election. Credit:Tanya Lake

"Have no doubt, we'll see a record number of early voters in this election – above the full third of voters who voted early in 2016," Australian National University political scientist Jill Sheppard said.

"Most voters are tuned out, bored, and will cast their vote at the most convenient time and place, no matter how early."