Final day of early voting brings record numbers in Hillsborough, Pasco

Sunny skies and long lines greeted voters across Tampa Bay on the last day of early voting Saturday as elections officials reported few serious problems with the heavy turnout.

Hillsborough and Pasco counties both reported record-setting numbers for the eight days of early voting, with Pasco setting a single-day record Saturday with about 10,000 early voters and Hillsborough setting a single-day record of 28,728.

Hillsborough reported a total of 166,937 early votes, exceeding the previous record of 146,558 set in 2008. The county also had 143,829 absentee ballots submitted as of Saturday, making for a turnout of 41 percent.

"There is a ton of enthusiasm for this election," said Hillsborough election spokesman Travis Abercrombie, noting that the greater numbers were also the result of more early voting locations and more registered voters.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/final-day-of-early-voting-brings-record-numbers-in-hillsborough-pasco/1259892