Shorter than expected lines at early voting sites prove to be big plus for those choosing to vote Monday.

Voting officials expected a busy day for the first day of early voting. What they found was quite different. Officials say the shorter lines could be result of Governor Palin's visit and the rise in mail-in ballot requests. Officials tell 11 news 40,000 mail-in ballots were requested for this November's elections.

The people most pleased with the shorter lines were those choosing to cast their ballots. Nick Mayle didn't want to bother with the election day congestion. Mayle says, "It probably took me about 5 minutes actually to cast the ballot."

Dale Pirtle went to the Mesa Mall early voting location. Pirtle says, "There was no line here so I mean I've been here 15 minutes. That's why I like the early voting."

Voting officials say another time constraint this election season is the record length ballot. They say it might not be a bad idea to fill out a cheat sheet or sample ballot before heading to the polls.