DEKALB COUNTY, GA — The first day of early voting turned out to be a recording-breaking event, with the most people turning out to vote ever in state history, according to the Secretary of State.

“At 10 a.m. we already had 71,000 people vote early today. It looks like this is going to be a record breaker for the first day of voting,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

“It was very easy and pleasant,” DeKalb County voter, Loretta Hunt said. “This is the most important election there’s going to be in my lifetime.”

“I had to vote early,” Sandra Menes said outside a DeKalb County polling location on Tuesday.

Menes said she is excited to make her voice heard at the polls and she thinks others will be too.

“I’m hoping especially in Georgia that there is a very heavy turnout. We need everyone to vote,” Menes said.

Ethan McGhee proudly posted his ‘I vote’ peach to his jacket after he voted early.

“It just feels good to know I got it out of the way,” Ethan McGhee said.

“I think more than ever people understand that if you don’t vote, you don’t get to mope,” explained McGhee.

The early voting period for the November general election runs until Friday, November 1.

If you don’t cast your vote in that time period, you’ll have to head to the polls on Election Day: Tuesday, November 5.