Early voting continues in Denton County for the March 2 primary election, and elections officials say numbers are on pace for a large increase over the last gubernatorial election.

As of Monday, 8,081 early voting ballots had been cast in Denton County. That includes 7,283 Republicans and 798 Democrats.

Frank Phillips, the county’s elections administrator, said that compared with early voting numbers from the last gubernatorial election in 2006, the county could see a 49 percent increase if the average daily number of voters continues.

Drawing county voters out to the polls is the hotly contested race for governor as Republican incumbent Rick Perry seeks re-election. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and political newcomer Debra Medina are challenging him for the GOP nomination.

On the Democratic side, seven candidates — Felix Rodriguez Alvarado, Farouk Shami, Star Locke, Alma Ludivina Aguado, Clement E. Glenn, Bill White and Bill Dear — are vying for their party’s nomination.

Locally contested races include a trio of lawyers vying for the probate bench — Gilland Chenault, Robert Ramirez and Bonnie Robison — and a foursome of candidates for the County Court at Law No. 1 bench — Kimberly McCary, George A. Mitcham, Christine Ventura and Chance Oliver.

The election has run smoothly with no problems, Phillips said.

Early voting, which can be done at any of the 15 county polling locations, ends Friday.

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .

Early voting continues through Friday. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Friday. Hours at the three churches differ; the polls will close at 5 p.m. at those three sites on Wednesday. Also, voting at the Denia Recreation Center ends at 5 p.m. For a complete list of sites and hours, visit www.elections.dentoncounty.com .

• Copeland Government Center, 1400 FM424, Cross Roads

• Lake Dallas City Hall, 212 Main St.

• Frankford Town Homes, 18110 Marsh Lane, Dallas

• Joseph A. Carroll Building, 401 W. Hickory St., Denton

• Carrollton Public Library, 4220 N. Josey Lane

• Justin Municipal Building, 415 N. College Ave.

• Highland Village Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road

• Lewisville Municipal Annex, 1197 W. Main St.

• First Baptist Church, 708 S. Fifth St., Sanger

• Friendship Baptist Church, 4396 Main St., The Colony

• First Baptist Church, 209 N. Pine St., Roanoke

• Denia Recreation Center, 1001 Parvin St., Denton

• Flower Mound Police and Court Building, 4150 Kirkpatrick St.

• Trophy Club Municipal Utility District, 100 Municipal Drive

• Frisco Lake Amenities Center, 7277 Frisco Lakes Drive

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