"Maybe it seems more important to people this year," Maniar said after he voted at noon.

The state is offering voters unconditional, no-excuse early voting by standard or absentee ballot at county clerk offices statewide. Salt Lake and other counties have rooms set up with judges and voting booths for the early voters.

"With the furry of voter registration activity and the anticipation of a higher voting turnout this year, we're assuming there will be lines on election day and are encouraging people to vote early," said Amy Naccarato, state of Utah Elections Division director.

Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen said early voting has been steady.

"We're seeing a lot of interest in voting in general this year," Swensen said. "People are wanting to vote."

No-excuse absentee ballots were approved in Utah in 2003. Proponents said it would encourage a greater turnout.

Michael Brown and his daughter Chelsea voted early because they will be working next Tuesday.

"I anticipate extremely long lines on Election Day, and this is much more convenient," Brown said. "I didn't even know it was an option until a friend at work said he'd already voted."

Peter Bsumek will be out of town next week for a business trip and cast his ballot Monday.

"I was not aware that I could vote early if I wasn't going to be out of town," he said.

Nearly 25 states offer some sort of early voting. Early voting is different than absentee voting in that voters may visit a designated voting location and cast a vote in person without offering an excuse for not being able to vote on election day. The early voting period varies from state to state, but most often, it is available during a period of 10 to 14 days before the election.

During the last presidential election year, the Census Bureau reported nearly 14 percent of voters nationwide voted early. This year an even greater percentage is expected.

Doug "Spike" Brant will be moving out of Salt Lake soon, but wanted to vote and "make it count."

"People now realize how important it is to vote," said Brant.

wleonard@sltrib.com

Voting

"No excuse" early voting is available until Monday. The Salt Lake County Clerk's office will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2001 S. State St., in the South Building of the County Complex. Mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than the day before the election.