More than 2.5 million New Yorkers have cast their ballots early this year after nine days of early voting, according to preliminary numbers from the state Board of Elections.

The final day of early voting was on Sunday, the first year it was offered in a presidential election. There were 7.8 million votes cast in the 2016 presidential election.

Long lines and waits at some polling locations in New York have led to calls for expanding options, including both hours and the number of polling sites counties offer to vote early.

Some county governments expanded their hours to reduce the wait times.

"I think we can take this back and see about the hours," Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said last week in an interview when asked about expanding early voting. "In fact, some counties are already adjusting their hours."

The performance of the New York City Board of Elections has come under especially withering review by elected officials, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who have called for an overhaul.

About 19.5% of eligible voters cast ballots in New York over the last nine days, the state Board of Elections numbers show. Some large states saw higher turnout. In Texas, voter turnout was more than 57% of registered voters.

It's also not clear how the coronavirus pandemic has altered voting habits this year. New York officials this year allowed what amounted to no-excuse absentee balloting, enabling any voters to apply for an absentee ballot.

Those votes must be postmarked or dropped off at a local elections office by Nov. 3.