AUSTIN, Texas — When the University of Texas at Austin announced a new polling location was coming into play for early voting, concerns swirled over long lines and wait times.
However, as the first week of early voting wrapped up, it was met with a strong turnout.
Numbers from Oct. 21 through the Oct. 24 counted 5,605 people that showed up to UT's Texas Union to vote. Friday's numbers were not available.
UT replaced the Flawn Academic Center with the Texas Union as the university's new voting station. A university spokesperson said the reason was due to the Union being a well-known building and having more student traffic.
President of the UT Democrats Brian Pena - who raised initial concerns to the Travis County Commissioners court back in August when the announcement was made - said since early voting at the location started, there have been some hiccups.
"We have volunteers roam around the third and fourth floor of the union trying to catch students who are frequently walking around looking for the polling place," said Pena.
Pena pointed to the location appearing more "confusing" since there are about five different entrances to get inside, the Union being a smaller spot compared to the FAC and the lines.
However, on Friday, students said voting at the Texas Union was smooth sailing.
"I thought it was going to take a lot longer because I saw the line and I was like, 'Oh my gosh,'" said UT freshman, Cora Motley. "But it ended up being really quick and simple and they ran us through it while we were in line to even make it faster for all of us."
UT student Kenna Nyuga-Galega echoed the trouble-free process.
"It was very easy," Nyuga-Galega said. "I don't think anyone who's been in Austin doesn't know where the union is."
Pena praised the strong voter turnout and said he and the UT Democrats plan to have two shuttle buses - with the help of the university - that will take students to and from the Texas Union and other nearby polling locations on the last day of early voting and on Election Day, since he expects longer than usual lines.
"We're prepared for that," said Pena.
But he does hope the Texas Union is only a temporary location.
"We really hope that we're able to move the polling place in the future, but we're dealing with the situation at hand and we're making it work," said Pena.
Early voting in Texas ends on Nov. 1.