Central Texas voters turned out in force Tuesday morning to cast ballots at their local precincts.

About half an hour before the polls opened, people lined up outside Barton Hills Elementary in South Austin as well as dozens of other polling locations across the metro area. Some even took advantage of Capital Metro's offer of free rides to the polls.

The voting traffic turned into a trickle as the day wore on, but e lection officials expect another rush of voters when people begin leaving work at 5 p.m. The polls close at 7 p.m., but if you're in line by then, you will be allowed to vote, no matter how long it takes.

Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir expects between 250,000 to 300,000 to cast a ballot on Election Day. Nearly half of all registered voters in Travis County took advantage of early voting.

In Williamson County, voters also got an early start. Long lines were reported in some areas, with voters waiting an hour or more to vote between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Williamson County election officials say voting has gone smoothly so far. Close to half of all voters in that county also cast a ballot early -- about 113,000.

Some say they waited until Election Day because of the excitment.

"I think early voting -- it's not as exciting. You go in there, and you really feel that you are part of the process, and it's a very exciting time," said Rodrigo Castilleja, voter.

Williamson County voters can call 943-1630 for more information on voting.