The outcome of the Florida election on Tuesday is likely to play a critical role in determining whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney will win the race for president.

The latest polls out on the race in the Sunshine State show Romney running just slightly ahead of Obama. Figures likely to capture attention on Tuesday are those on absentee and early voting. Scroll down for the latest on the numbers in Florida.

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  • Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen

    President Barack Obama stands with singer Bruce Springsteen as he arrives to speak at a campaign event, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen

    President Barack Obama, accompanied by singer Bruce Springsteen, waves as he arrive at a campaign event near the State Capitol Building in Madison, Wis., Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

  • Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen

    President Barack Obama is greeted by onstage by singer Bruce Springsteen as he arrives to speak at a campaign event, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, in downtown Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen

    President Barack Obama shakes hands with singer Bruce Springsteen at a campaign event, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, in downtown Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Bruce Springsteen

    Singer Bruce Springsteen performs before the start of a campaign event for President Barack Obama near the State Capitol Building in Madison, Wis., Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

  • Joe Biden

    Vice President Joe Biden gestures while speaking a campaign rally at Heritage Farm Museum at Claude Moore Park, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, in Sterling , VA. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

  • Paul Ryan

    Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., speaks during a campaign event at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 in Castle Rock, Colo. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

  • Paul Ryan

    Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and his wife Janna arrive at a campaign event at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Castle Rock, Colo. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event at McArthur High School in Hollywood, Fla. Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a campaign event at Shady Brook Farm, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Morrisville, Pa. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Elizabeth Warren, Bruce Mann

    Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Warren, left, waves to an audience while standing with her husband, Bruce Mann, at the conclusion of a campaign rally at a high school in Braintree, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Both Warren and incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., continue their push around the state in the final days before Election Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

  • Barack Obama,

    President Barack Obama extends his arm and fingers to greet young supporters after speaking at a campaign event at Fifth Third Arena, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney greets supporters at a Virginia campaign rally at Newport News International Airport, in Newport News, Va., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama arrives to a cheering crowd at a campaign event at the Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney waves as fireworks are seen in the distance at a Virginia campaign rally at Newport News International Airport, in Newport News, Va., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama greets a cheering crowd as he arrives at a campaign event at the Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Elizabeth Warren, John Kerry

    Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Elizabeth Warren, left, clasps hands with her husband, Bruce Mann, as U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., center, shakes hands at the conclusion of a campaign rally at a high school in Braintree, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Both Warren and incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., continue their push around the state in the final days before Election Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

  • Barack Obama,

    President Barack Obama starts to move to the music of performer Stevie Wonder who was off-stage performing at the end of the campaign event at Fifth Third Arena, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann Romney take the stage at a Pennsylvania campaign rally at Shady Brook Farm, in Morrisville, Pa., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama gives the thumb-up as he finishes speaking at a campaign event at the Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Women hold up signs spelling "vote" on a stage being prepared for a speech by President Barack Obama at a campaign rally at the Community College of Aurora, in Denver, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife Ann Romney arrive on stage at a Pennsylvania campaign rally at Shady Brook Farm, in Morrisville, Pa., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Elizabeth Warren, John Kerry

    United States Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., front, and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Elizabeth Warren, behind left, face reporters before a campaign rally at a high school in Braintree, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Both Warren and incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., continue their push around the state in the final days before Election Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

  • A long line of early voters runs down the block outside the Hamilton County Board of Elections building Sunday evening, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. The women in the front of the line said they had been in line four hours. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

  • Elizabeth Warren, John Kerry

    Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Warren, left, and U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., walk and talk as they arrive at a campaign rally at a high school in Braintree, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Both Warren and incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., continue their push around the state in the final days before Election Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

  • Elizabeth Warren

    Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Warren addresses an audience during a campaign rally at a high school in Braintree, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Both Warren and incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., continue their push around the state in the final days before Election Day. Warren was introduced by U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., at the rally. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

  • Elizabeth Warren, John Kerry

    Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Elizabeth Warren, left, and U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., right, walk and talk as they arrive at a campaign rally at a high school in Braintree, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Both Warren and incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., continue their push around the state in the final days before Election Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

  • Elizabeth Warren, John Kerry

    Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Warren, left, addresses an audience during a campaign rally at a high school in Braintree, Mass., as U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., right, applauds, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Both Warren and incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., continue their push around the state in the final days before Election Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney greets the crowd at a Pennsylvania campaign rally at Shady Brook Farm, in Morrisville, Pa., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama waves to the crowd as he speaks at a campaign event at the Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event at the Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event at the Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Joe Biden

    Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally at Rushville Middle School, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Lancaster, Ohio. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

  • Joe Biden

    Supporters cheer as Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally at Rushville Middle School, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Lancaster, Ohio. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

  • Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage after speaking at a campaign event at the Fifth Third Arena on the University of Cincinnati campus, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

  • Former President Bill Clinton walks through the crowd after speaking at a rally for Barack Obama at Pullen Park in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012.The former president has been traveling to several battleground states over the past week to try to stem any Republican tide for Mitt Romney and preserve Obama leads. (AP/Ted Richardson)

  • Former President Bill Clinton, right, arrives at a rally for Barack Obama at Pullen Park in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, after being introduced by former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, left. The former president has been traveling to several battleground states over the past week to try to stem any Republican tide for Mitt Romney and preserve Obama leads. (AP/Ted Richardson)

  • Joe Biden

    A supporter cheers as Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally Terra Community College, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Fremont, Ohio. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

  • Joe Biden

    Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally Terra Community College, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Fremont, Ohio. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a Virginia campaign rally at Newport News International Airport, in Newport News, Va., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Paul Ryan

    Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., greets supporters during a campaign event at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Castle Rock, Colo. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

  • Paul Ryan

    Supporters cheer as Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., speaks during a campaign event, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Mansfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)



* Registered Democrats ahead in ballots cast early

* Legislature cut early voting days

By Barbara Liston

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov 5 (Reuters) - Florida voters cast fewer early ballots in the 2012 presidential election than in 2008, but they submitted more absentee ballots than they did four years ago, according to statewide elections figures released on Monday.

Overall, almost 40 percent of Florida's 11.9 million registered voters have already cast their ballots, and registered Democrats had cast 88,314 more votes than registered Republicans through Sunday.

Opinion polls for the Nov. 6 election showed Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney running neck and neck in Florida, where a mere 537 votes decided the 2000 presidential election in George W. Bush's favor.

The early voting period in Florida ended on Saturday, though voters were still submitting absentee ballots at election supervisors' offices on Sunday and Monday.

The state's Republican-led legislature cut the number of early voting days nearly in half this year, leading to long lines where voters had to wait up to 8 hours and complaints that the change in voting rules was part of a Republican effort to suppress Democratic votes.

Republican Governor Rick Scott rejected a call last week to extend early voting by a day.

The data suggests the changes curbed in-person voting at the early polling sites. Florida voters cast 249,974 fewer ballots at those sites in the 2012 presidential election than in 2008.

Democrats, who typically make up a large proportion of early voters, managed only a 167,653 edge over Republicans in the voting at early balloting sites. That was well below the margin in 2008, when Democrats led in early voting by almost half a million ballots.

Republicans have the edge in absentee voting - 79,339 more Republican ballots were turned in than Democratic ballots by Sunday. Absentee voting had exceeded the 2008 totals by 207,308 ballots.

All told, the battleground state entered the final day of voting before the election with 4.46 million votes cast compared with 4.51 million in 2008 - a drop of 42,666.

The total number of registered voters in Florida has risen by 6.1 percent since the last presidential election to 11.9 million.

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  • Colorado

    <strong>For more presidential and congressional polls, maps and forecasts, <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/romney-vs-obama-electoral-map?hw" target="_hplink">visit HuffPost Pollster</a>.</strong>

  • Iowa

    <strong>For more presidential and congressional polls, maps and forecasts, <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/romney-vs-obama-electoral-map?hw" target="_hplink">visit HuffPost Pollster</a>.</strong>

  • Wisconsin

    <strong>For more presidential and congressional polls, maps and forecasts, <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/romney-vs-obama-electoral-map?hw" target="_hplink">visit HuffPost Pollster</a>.</strong>

  • Ohio

    <strong>For more presidential and congressional polls, maps and forecasts, <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/romney-vs-obama-electoral-map?hw" target="_hplink">visit HuffPost Pollster</a>.</strong>

  • Virginia

    <strong>For more presidential and congressional polls, maps and forecasts, <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/romney-vs-obama-electoral-map?hw" target="_hplink">visit HuffPost Pollster</a>.</strong>

  • North Carolina

    <strong>For more presidential and congressional polls, maps and forecasts, <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/romney-vs-obama-electoral-map?hw" target="_hplink">visit HuffPost Pollster</a>.</strong>

  • Florida

    <strong>For more presidential and congressional polls, maps and forecasts, <a href="http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/romney-vs-obama-electoral-map?hw" target="_hplink">visit HuffPost Pollster</a>.</strong>