For thousands of Georgians, early voting presents the opportunity to cast a ballot and avoid the long lines of Election Day.

For Brad Lee, early voting offered his first opportunity to vote ever.

"I'm always on the road," the Hephzibah truck driver said. "Sometimes I might would get a chance, sometimes I might not, so I figured while I'm home I should do it."

Early voting began across the state Monday. Already, more than 18,000 Georgia voters have cast early ballots, said Matt Carrothers, a spokesman for the secretary of state's office. Legislation passed earlier this year allows voters to cast their ballots 45 days before Election Day without stating a reason.

"We wanted to do it to increase ballot access, and really it's a common sense law change," Mr. Carrothers said. "It's a convenient voting opportunity."

The response by Richmond County residents to the first two days of early voting has been great, said Lynn Bailey, the board of elections executive director. More than 230 people voted Monday, and that same amount had done likewise by lunchtime Tuesday, she said.

"It's popular not just here but across the state of Georgia," Mrs. Bailey said. "Assuming that voters have already made up their mind, they can do it now and avoid the traffic jam."

Patricia Harrod of Augusta said the long lines would not be feasible for her. She suffers from emphysema, so an easier way to vote was preferable, she said.

"I wanted to go ahead, because I'm concerned about our economy and our children's future depends on it," Ms. Harrod said.

Columbia County voters also responded well to early voting, said Debbie Marshall, the director of the Columbia County Board of Elections. About 170 voted at the Evans office Monday, Ms. Marshall said.

Burke and McDuffie counties each had about 25 voters Monday. Some voters are still determining who they will vote for, said Phyllis Wheeler, the director of McDuffie County Board of Elections.

"I think a lot of people are waiting for the debate on Friday," Ms. Wheeler said. "People are just now getting the hang of early voting."

Kelby Dell, who voted in Augusta at the Municipal Building on Tuesday, said he's encouraging people to vote early and make sure they're registered.