VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Long lines to vote ahead of Election Day continued to be a common sight in Hampton Roads on Thursday.

With Election Day just days away, voter turnout and election security were two topics likely to be on the minds of many voters. This includes the use of ballot boxes that have made national headlines.

Clock: Election anxiety is real, says expert; Here are some ways to help you cope

Election anxiety is real, says expert; Here are some ways to help you cope

“I’m very excited,” Virginia Beach voter Praveen Bokka said of the vote.

“I think every election is really important,” said Virginia Beach voter Melanie McCarley.

As of Thursday, Virginia Beach City Clerk Christine Lewis said the city is on track to break a record.

About 93,000 ballots were cast, according to the clerk’s office.

Clock: When to expect election night results in Virginia and North Carolina

When to expect election night results in Virginia and North Carolina

“It makes the whole office feel really excited and happy. We do this for every election, and this is the biggest turnout we’ve had since we started No Excuses Early Voting in 2020,” Lewis said.

But people weren’t just standing in line. Some used the drop box outside the registrar’s office.

The boxes made national headlines as some were set on fire in Oregon and Washington state.

Clock: Ballots destroyed in box fires in Oregon and Washington

Police say fires that destroyed drop-off ballots in Oregon and Washington are connected

“Personally, I felt really bad for anyone whose votes were in that box. They will never be recaptured,” McCarley said.

McCarley said election security is something she worries about.

“I don’t think I have any choice but to put my faith in the system and the people who volunteer in it,” McCarley said.

Clock: Chesapeake created satellite polling places to combat long lines

The City of Chesapeake has created satellite polling places to combat long voting lines

Bokka, however, said he was not worried.

“I have lived in this country for 25 years. I voted twice. This is the third time. I never felt bad,” Bokka explained.

Lewis isn’t worried either.

“We have security measures that we cannot discuss,” Lewis said.

Clock: Despite lower overall early voting in Virginia, Virginia Beach sees record numbers

Despite lower overall early voting numbers in Virginia, Virginia Beach sees record numbers

State of Virginia regulates delivery boxesincluding where they can be and how the ballots are collected.

Booths must be video monitored 24 hours a day and ballots must be collected at least once a day.

In Suffolk, the recorder general tells News 3 the town has cameras at all three boxes. Voters can also use a drop box inside the voter registration office on Market Street.

Clock: Virginia Beach residents debate the system in a 10-1 vote before the city council

Virginia Beach residents debate the system in a 10-1 vote before the city council

Voter safety is also a consideration.

“If somebody is being harassed at the polls or feels like they’re being harassed, they need to go in and get the boss of each polling place and the boss will take care of it,” Lewis said.

right Virginia Public Access Projectaround 1.8 million votes had been cast by October 30 statewide, equivalent to about 20 percent of the state’s population.

How many of those ballots went into drop boxes was unclear.