High turnout expected at local polling places

MAT-SU — Almost a year of politicking for the White House will end today when voters cast their ballots.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have been courting voters to choose them in almost non-stop campaign appearances around the country that have accelerated over the waning days of the campaign.

Polls in Alaska are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and officials expect a larger than usual turnout this year.

That may be because of this election’s possible historic significance, or, at least in Alaska, a contingent of voters making their decisions based on the state’s governor, Sarah Palin, and her spot on the GOP ticket as McCain’s running mate.

“The division planned for a high voter turnout this election,” said Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai.

Perhaps an indicator of how polling lines may look today, Fenumiai said early voting numbers are double what they were for the 2004 general election. Reports from other parts of the country that have more population than Alaska tell of voters waiting for up to eight hours to cast a ballot in early voting.

Whether lines will be that long in the Mat-Su Valley is yet to be seen. Fenumiai said at 8 p.m., an election worker is instructed to stand at the end of the line and notify voters arriving after 8 p.m. that the polls are closed.

“Every qualified voter present and in line at the time the polls are announced closed may vote,” Fenumiai said.

Early voting has become something of a trend in this election, with more than 24.4 million ballots already cast, according to CNN.

Monday, at the North Fork Professional Building off Bogard Road in Wasilla, a line of early voters snaked from the booths, out an office door, around the lobby and almost outside into the 20-degree weather.

Gary Custer, a Wasilla resident, said he voted early because of time constraints, but also because of what he called the importance of this election.

“It’s going to be a landmark,” Custer said.

He also said he’s heard lines are supposed to be very lengthy today and didn’t want to wait for a long time to cast a vote.

Besides the presidential candidates, voters will also decide on local politicians running for seats in Juneau. There are also two congressional seats up for grabs, and many pundits have said this election will be the toughest for U.S. Rep. Don Young and U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, both Republicans.

In the Valley, state House seats in Districts 13, 14, 15 and 16 are on the ballot, along with Senate Seat G. Every race is contested.

Voters who have questions about polling places can call the state’s Division of Elections at 1-888-383-8683 or 269-8683, or visit the Division of Elections Web site at www.elections.alaska.gov/polling.php.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.