TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The 2024 presidential election has seen a higher number of women casting their ballots early, especially in Florida.

“If voter enthusiasm prior to the election is any indication, we’re going to have historical voting records in the state of Florida,” Political Analyst Tara Newsom said.

As of Friday, more than 6.6 million people had already voted, according to turnout data from Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. About 3.6 million of those voters are women, compared to about 3 million men.

“Women are really flexing and showing their strength,” Newsom said. “I think Amendment number four really draws people out for not only the right to abortion, but the right to women’s health care. And women might be coming out in droves, but we know that men will too.”

At the University of Tampa, many students said this election is the first time they have been able to vote.

Several students said women’s issues are driving them to cast their ballot.

“There’s a lot of issues right now with the election regarding women and our rights and so I think that’s really important for every woman to go and vote because you’re voting for your own rights and women in the future,” said student Jackie Teixeira.

“Probably the most important one is the right to have control over what happens to my body,” student Samantha Relkin said. “It’s scary how close it is in the polls. I think it’s really interesting, but I’m happy that of all elections, this is the first one that I can vote in because I feel like it’s important to have our voices heard.”

For others, it’s who is at the top of the ticket.

“I feel like this is a very close race so I feel like every vote counts, and I think it’s important to go and cast your vote,” student Anna Baucom said. “I think there’s a lot of issues with the border right now so I think that’s a very important thing to vouch for and that needs to be changed.”

“I feel like Kamala Harris has more stuff that aligns with what I believe in,” said student Ciara Eddington.

Newsom said a higher turnout of women voters could impact some of the issues on the ballot.

“This is going to be one of those pivotal elections where individuals don’t just vote top down the same party. There’s going to be a lot of movement on the ballot. It’s a two-page ballot and we’re seeing issues motivate voters way more than the candidates,” Newsom said.