A line stretched out the door at 12:30 Thursday afternoon at Cornelius Town Hall. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

CORNELIUS – A line stretched out the door at Cornelius Town Hall Thursday as early voting began in Mecklenburg County. About 130 had voted in the first 90 minutes and another 25 people were queued up around the back of the building.

Voters who arrived early encountered longer lines. A Mecklenburg County poll worker said computer problems reduce the number of available machines to only a handful as voting started.

Nonetheless, turnout was reported to be heavy at many polling stations around the region. That may have been because of the presidential election at the top of the ballot.

The Raleigh News & Observer reported that statewide turnout was 120,000 voters, higher than the first day of early voting in the 2008 election.

Voters cast their ballots at Cornelius Town Hall on the opening day of early voting. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

“Generally, in presidential elections, we get a mob,” said Lynn Burris, site coordinator for the poll at Cornelius Town Hall.

The ballot also has other races, including governor and lieutenant governor, and Mecklenburg County commissioners.

Early voting continues through Nov. 3 at sites around the county. Voters also may take advantage of “one-stop” registration and voting at the sites. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6, with polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Besides Cornelius Town Hall, early voting also is available at North County Regional Library in Huntersville. Hours at those sites are weekdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays Oct. 20 and 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays Oct. 21 and 28, 1-4 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 3, final day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You also may vote at the county’s Hal Marshall Annex, 618 N. College St., Charlotte, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays Oct. 20 and 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays Oct. 21 and 28, 1-4 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 3, final day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information at the Mecklenburg Board of Elections website, MeckBoe.org.

Voters formed a line outside Cornelius Town Hall Thursday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)