Party Lines political notebook: Early voting strong on first day with 862 votes cast at NSB Public Library; 4,241 countywide

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Early voting for the presidential election as well as a host of local, state and national congressional races started with a bang today with 862 ballots cast at the New Smyrna Beach Library, according to the Volusia County Elections Office.

Overall, 4,241 voters took advantage of early voting on the first day. Early voting runs through Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

New Smyrna Beach ranked third among four Volusia library locations where voters cast their votes. New Smyrna Beach had 862 voters.

The voter turnout was highest at the Daytona Beach library with 1,028 going to the polls, followed by DeLand with 863, New Smyrna Beach with 862, Deltona with 800 and Ormond Beach with 688.

Of the 4,241 votes cast today, 2,436 were by registered Democrats, 1,094 by registered Republicans and 711 third party or independents.

The New Smyrna Beach library is located at 1001 S. Dixie Freeway.