A better-than-expected turnout of Democrats and Republicans turned out on the first day of voting, according to election judge Vic Bird.

"About 45 people so far" had voted by late afternoon Tuesday, Feb. 19, Bird said. "We expected less."

All early voting in the primary election will be in the city council chambers on the west end of the city hall complex at 710 W. Ave A.

Early voting continues through Friday, Feb. 29.

Voting hours through tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 22, will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hours Saturday, Feb. 23, will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while hours Sunday, Feb. 24, will be noon to 5 p.m.

The final week of voting, Feb. 25-29, voting hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Democrats and Republicans who did not cast early ballots will go to the council chambers to vote in the primary election on Tuesday, March 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Precinct conventions for both parties will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 4 at city hall. "Conventions are for the purpose of developing the parties respective platforms for the November elections. This is where the grass roots process begins," said Bird, who is also Precinct 19 Republican Party chairman. Precinct 19 includes Port Aransas.

This year, the Texas primary will play a key role in assigning delegates to the candidates for their party's nomination. This is because the delegate count for the Democratic candidates, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barak Obama, is too close to call at this point.

Republican Sen. John McCain has all but cinched the nomination from his party over the last remaining candidates, Arkansas Sen. Mike Huckabee and Texas Sen. Ron Paul.