INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana residents already are turning out in record numbers to cast their votes early ahead of the state’s May 3 primary election.

The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office reports about 31,000 people have cast ballots as of Monday since early voting began on April 5. That’s nearly double the number of early voters during the same period of the last presidential election cycle in 2012.

Election officials say the large early turnout is due to the closely contested presidential races in both the Democrat and Republican fields. Indiana’s primary contests are expected to play key role in this year’s presidential nominating contests.