Hays County voters have been turning out in record numbers to cast early and mail-in ballots for the Nov. 6 general election, according to early returns.

Six days into early voting, with five days to go, more than 21,000 residents voted at polling locations throughout the county through Oct. 28. More than 3,800 people mailed in their ballots over the same time span.

"In 2008, we had 40,000 early votes and a 60,000 grand total, so two-thirds of voters voted early," Hays County Elections Administrator Joyce Cowan said Oct. 29. "I think it's going to be that high or higher because we usually have more people voting in the last week than we do in the first week."

One reason for the increase in early voting comes down to convenience, she said. Because the population of Hays County surpassed 120,000 in the 2010 census, federal law requires election officials to offer more locations for residents to cast ballots.

"We were required to have our main early voting site open all this time in the past, but now we are mandated by law to have one in each commissioner's precinct open as well," Cowan said.

In addition to the presidential election, voters will decide several contests on the state, county and municipal levels. Buda residents are weighing in on three contested City Council seats as well as 18 propositions, while San Marcos residents are voting on a mayoral race, two contested City Council seats and three propositions.

The six-day voting total of 24,869 represents nearly a quarter of the registered voters in Hays County. The Hays County Elections Administration will continue to staff early polling locations at areas throughout the county through Nov. 2.

For voting locations in San Marcos, Buda, Kyle and other locations, visit www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/government/elections-and-voting/november6-general-election.