ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Election officials in some Florida counties urged people to vote early Sunday where possible as potentially severe weather threatens the state on Election Day.

Voters who want to avoid weather-related disruptions should cast their ballots by 7 p.m. Sunday, the last day of early voting in the county, said Palm Beach County elections supervisor Wendy Sartory Link. In some counties early voting has already ended.

As of Sunday morning, more than 4.5 million votes had been cast through mail ballots and early voting, elections officials reported.

Hurricane forecasters said it was too early to tell how strong the system might get but early indications had the track coming straight for South Florida and the northern Bahamas in the middle of the week.

Forecasters said people in those areas should be prepared for “coastal flooding, gale-force winds, heavy rainfall, rough surf and beach erosion.”

The state Division of Elections did not immediately respond Sunday to an email asking whether additional preparations for a potential storm were planned.

The approach of the system comes as southwest Florida continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, which left 130 people dead in the state after coming ashore near Fort Myers on Sept. 28.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order extending early voting days in three hard-hit counties and authorizing election supervisors to designate additional early voting locations. Voters there can cast ballots at any polling place in their registered county through Election Day. Election supervisors are also permitted to relocate or consolidate polling places if necessary.

Last week, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said the state was ready for a fair and smoothly run election and that “voters can remain confident that their ballots will be counted accurately and on time.”

Counties in Tampa Bay were among those included in a state of emergency declaration from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Despite being on that list, elections offices in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Polk Counties said they didn't expect major negative impacts due to Nicole. Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards said emergency officials in the county told her effects from the storm wouldn't be felt until Thursday.

"By Thursday, we are still working here very busily at election headquarters and election operations center, but all of our equipment and materials are safe and sound and locked away," Edwards said.

Edwards said her office does have a plan in case of possible setbacks.

"I think that's my only slight fear is - I don't want to lose power. But we do have a generator on site, so I think all in all, we're not too worried," Edwards said.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said his office is in good shape to handle any impacts from the storm. A spokesperson for the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Office said they'll take precautions and send out alerts if there are any issues or delays, but counting was expected to be mostly complete by Thursday. Edwards said it's important to note voters heading to the polls Tuesday shouldn't face any extra challenges because of the weather.

"Just be sure to get out and vote between 7 AM and 7 PM tomorrow. All the precincts are open. This storm is not affecting Election Day," said Edwards.