Many voters were up early this morning to beat the crowd to the polls. Few succeeded. In my own little neck of the woods, the polls were open at 7. We were there at 6:55, voting guides in hand. Twenty five people were there before 6:55, standing listlessly in the cold counting minutes to see exactly how late they would be for work. So much for my election day voting game plan. Our wait of 45 minutes was possibly a short one, as this election is expected to see historical amounts of voters head to the polls.

While standing in line, some voters broke off into pairs or small groups, as neighbors and families came out to vote together. There was some last minute decision making and reminding of which prop is which. One  local, early morning voter is most passionate about the many propositions that involve state bonds. “Why should there be a dozen bond issues when we’re [the state] broke? It’s ridiculous. The government just doesn’t get it. It’s so different from the real world. You tell your kid not to spend above their means, but your own government can’t even do it”. Our current economic standing is an increasing factor in a lot of voters’ minds today and not just for the national election.  

This presidential election will end in either our first African American President or our first female Vice President. Both presidential candidates are asking voters to vote. Senator Obama was among the first to vote at a Chicago elementary school this morning, after he and his wife were rushed to the front of the line while cell phones snapped photos. Both candidates claim they are feeling confident about the election results. “I’m feeling kind of fired up. I’m feeling like I’m ready to go” Obama told a crowd during his final rally on Monday evening. On the opposite side of the country McCain was finishing up his campaign. In his fifth rally of a day filled with stops in 3 time zones, McCain told Henderson, Nevada  residents, “This momentum, this enthusiasm convinces me we’re going to win tomorrow”.  McCain plans on voting a little later in the day, then Sarah Palin will meet him back in Phoenix in time to watch the results come in.

On a local level, it’s been a fierce competition for the Cordova Recreation and Park District Board. The election for school board is also going to be an exciting race. The candidates have been campaigning and discussing the issue at forums, at pancake breakfasts throughout the community and even along street corners. Local candidates have put their passion, time and energy into this election, now it’s time for you to decide who will be our future leaders.