Many Long Island residents were waiting on long lines to cast their ballots at polling places as in-person early voting began Saturday statewide.

Thousands of Long Islanders lined up at 27 different polling sites. Some of them showed up hours before the doors opened.

Suffolk Board of Elections Republican Commissioner Nick LaLota and Nassau Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs say the high voter turnout shows that Long Islanders are eager to participate in the democratic process.

They also say, despite the large turnout, there have been no major problems at any of the Island's polling places.

"Fortunately, all the technology is standing up," LaLota says. "It's doing it in the right amount of time, too."

Jacobs adds, "I think they've got it down. Board of Elections staff…both the Republicans and the Democrats at the Board Of Elections, both teams have been doing a fabulous job."

Residents also have the option of voting by mail or dropping off an absentee ballot at their polling place.

The early voting centers will be open until Nov. 1 and election officials say they will have masks, gloves and hand sanitizer at every location.