Posted on 11/02/2004 3:43:05 AM PST by Michael Goldsberry
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US polling stations began opening at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) with sharply divided voters choosing between incumbent Republican President George W. Bush (news - web sites), 58, and Democratic challenger John Kerry (news - web sites), 60.
Some 165 million Americans are eligible to vote in one of the tightest presidential election in recent history. Although voter turnout is unpredictable, analysts believe it will be markedly higher than the 106 million in 2000.
Under the US electoral system, however, it is the candidate who wins at least 270 out of 538 Electoral College (news - web sites) votes who wins the election -- in 2000 Bush won the Electoral College vote despite losing the popular vote by more than half a million votes to then vice president Al Gore (news - web sites).
Polling stations opened in nine eastern states: Virginia, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Vermont, New York, Indiana and Kentucky.
The first polling stations close at 7:00 pm eastern time (0001 GMT Wednesday) in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia. The last polling stations close in Alaska at 0600 GMT Wednesday.
I cast the first ballot in my precinct in NY. So, for one brief instant, President George W. Bush had the lead in NY. That will probably hold until the welfare recipients in NYC get out of bed at about 10:30.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch.....the Prez is bringing Laura her coffee!
Good job GnL :) I've already voted here in Washington State(mostly everyone here votes absantee, lazy I know)... I'll keep my hopes up about Washington state, though I have my serious doubts. :) Still, would be fun to see the state turn red.... *sigh*
The line to get in our polling place in Virginia had nearly 100 people in it when the polls opened this morning. It moved pretty fast. I cast ballot #31 for the President. I did my part to make sure a traitor to this country isn't elected to the White House.
We may not win NY, but your vote will help win Bush the popular vote. One less talking point that won't get spouted by the left.
...I've already voted here in Washington State(mostly everyone here votes absantee, lazy I know)... I'll keep my hopes up about Washington state, though I have my serious doubts. :) Still, would be fun to see the state turn red.... *sigh*...
Hopefully seeing Kerry and Edwards turn red will be some consolation!
Regards from the very red state of Texas.
My husband left before 7 to vote here at our precinct in suburban OH (we're just north of Akron) and he called to let me know that lines are long (I'm waiting at home with 3 kids to take my turn when he's done). We are new to the state so don't know if that's typical but he overheard a woman in line say that she has NEVER seen it like this.
Local radio news out of Akron said it's expected voter turnout will be 70% this year.
One guy was one of the first to vote. He rushed out, then hopped in his vehicle, then drove his car slowly and parallel along the line of voters waiting, and rolled down his window and yelled at the top of his lungs:
"DON'T VOTE FOR BENEDICT ARNOLD KERRY!!"
There was some amused laughter and some pissed off Democrats.
That's what I call breaking news.
Actually, he is going to Columbus for a bit to rile up some more votes. Pray for good to win this election day!
Yes I know....but probably not when I posted that!
I'm from Illinois,
south of Chicago. Early,
there were only five
voters where we vote.
We were all for BUSH. I hope
Illinois goes blue,
but at least we helped
with the popular vote stats.
The weather's wet here.
Did I mention I rarely look at posted times?? Lol
I'm wishing the Republican party the best and a hopeful success.
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