Early voting has closed in Amarillo and this year’s turnout appears to be one of the highest in recent memory.

According to numbers posted by elections officials, 13,480 early ballots were cast in-person for the upcoming May 1 election, in addition to the 2,276 mail-in ballots that have already been cast. This year’s turnout is already nearing a 44 percent increase in early turnout from the elections in the area two years ago.

Several races of interest are likely driving turnout this year, including local government elections, school board elections, and college district elections in Potter and Randall Counties.

Now that early voting has closed, voters have one last chance remaining to cast a ballot for the May 1 election. Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm on Saturday.