SOUTHEAST TEXAS - More than 8,000 people cast ballots in the first day of early voting in Jefferson County, according to information provided to KFDM News by the Jefferson County Clerk's Office.

6,302 people voted in person and 1,808 returned mail-in ballots.

In Orange County, 3,248 cast ballots. 21 are servicemen or women serving overseas and 9 are others who are out of the country.

Early voting begins Monday and runs through November 2 in Texas. In addition to the race between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, Southeast Texans are voting in county, state and congressional races. In Lumberton, an alcoholic beverage referendum is on the ballot. A $22 million school bond election is on the ballot in the Hardin-Jefferson ISD. In Jefferson County, early voting is taking place from: *8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, October 22-26 *7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, October 27 *12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, October 28 *7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, October 29-November 2    *Jefferson County Courthouse-1001 Pearl Street in Beaumont *Port Arthur Sub-Courthouse-525 Lakeshore Drive in Port Arthur *Rogers Park Recreation Center-6540 Gladys in Beaumont *Port Arthur Public Library-4615 Ninth Avenue in Port Arthur *Theodore Johns Library-4255 Fannett Road in Beaumont *North End Community Center-3580 East Lucas in Beaumont *Nederland Recreation Center-2301 Avenue H. in Nederland *Groves Recreation Center-6150 39th Street in Groves *Effie and Wilton Hebert Library-2025 Merriman Street in Port Neches *Jefferson County J.P. Precinct 4-19217 FM 365 Jefferson County ***Special days and hours for: *Jefferson County Precinct 1 Service Center-1201 W. Highway 90 in China (Oct. 27-7 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 28-12 p.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 29-Nov. 2-7 a.m.-7 p.m.) *Queen of Vietnam Church-St. Joseph Hall-801 9th Avenue in Port Arthur (Oct. 28-9 a.m.-2 p.m.)  Call the Jefferson County Clerk's Office at (409) 835-8475 in Beaumont or (409) 983-8340 in Port Arthur for more information Click here for more information from Jefferson County Clerk's Office Early voting times and locations in Orange County: Oct 22 - Oct 27, 2012 (Mon - Sat) 8:00 - 5:00Oct 29 - Nov 2, 2012 (Mon - Fri) 8:00 - 5:00 Orange Public Library-220 N 5th Street - OrangeBridge City Public Works Blg220 Nitsche - Bridge CityFirst Baptist Church (Mauriceville)11540 Hwy 12 - Mauriceville Raymond Gould Community Center385 Claiborne - Vidor Call Orange County Elections Administration at (409) 882-7973 for more information. Click here for more information from Orange County Elections Information Click here for more information from Hardin County Clerk's Office Stay with KFDM and kfdm.com for the latest on early voting and the November 6 election. AUSTIN, Texas – From Texas Secretary of State - Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade is reminding Texas voters Early Voting for the November 6 General Election begins Monday, October 22 and continues through Friday, November 2. Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. “Early voting allows you to vote when and where it’s most convenient for you in your county of residence. It’s easy and flexible,” said Secretary Andrade. “I urge Texans to visit www.VoteTexas.gov to find out when, where and how they can vote. It’s a one-stop resource for questions regarding the voting process in Texas.” Voters should contact their local elections office to locate the polling place nearest or most convenient for them. Or, they can use the links at www.votetexas.gov. Polling place times will vary from county to county. Additionally, photo identification as required in Senate Bill 14 will not be required in early voting or on Election Day. To cast a ballot during early voting or on Election Day, voters should present their voter registration card or in lieu of a voter registration card, at least one of the following: *A driver's license or personal identification card issued to you by the Texas Department of Public Safety. You may also bring a similar document issued to you by an agency of another state, even if the license or card has expired; *A form of identification that contains your photograph and establishes your identity; *A birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person’s identity; *Your United States citizenship papers; *Your United States passport; *Official mail addressed to you by a governmental entity; orA copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address. For more information on the voting process in Texas, please visit www.votetexas.gov.   AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Though Election Day is still weeks away, voters will start heading to the polls Monday as early voting begins. Voters bringing their registration cards will not need a photo ID. There isn't expected to be much suspense in the votes for president and U.S. Senate. Republicans Mitt Romney and Ted Cruz are heavily favored to win the state. But important contests abound down the ballot. A huge swath of the state stretching from San Antonio to just outside El Paso will decide an important contest for U.S. House. Republican U.S. Rep. Quico Canseco is trying to hold onto his seat against Democratic state Rep. Pete Gallego. South of Houston, voters are choosing a successor to U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. An all-time high of 13.64 million Texans are registered to vote. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)