NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- Unofficial turnout numbers from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Office show 12,359 voters cast ballots on the first day of early voting in the county.

"We are on track to have one of the busiest days in the history of early voting, and it's only the first day," Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said about two hours before polls closed Monday.

Corley said county administration helped his office secure three gymnasiums to use as additional sites for early voting this year, boosting the number of locations from 11 to 14. 

"That's been our saving grace as far as a safety valve for the excessive wait because of the social distancing," he said.

A downpour forced voters waiting in line at the West Pasco Government Center into the building in the late afternoon, but Corley said the line had earlier stretched out the doors and around the side of the building as people tried to maintain six feet of distance. One voter told us she was in and out in 20 minutes. Corley said during early voting, people can use whichever location is most convenient, regardless of where they live. His office's web site also lists wait times for each site. 

“In a normal presidential election, there’d be lines. You throw in social distancing, and it’s guaranteed,” said Corley.

While he said the first day of early voting went "exceedingly well", he asks voters to have patience during this process.

Early voting runs until Oct. 31 in Pasco County. Polls are open from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily. For more information, visit pascovotes.gov