Pundits say members of the public are angry at the collapse of the Power Sharing government, just 10 months after the last vote.
Turnout is up 10% across the country with the smallest hike in West Belfast at 5%.
The largest was for the home of the new Sinn Fein Leader Michelle O'Neill as 13% more people turned out in Mid Ulster.
But the battle between the largest parties will be hotly contested, as 18 seats have been cut for the new Assembly.
