I’m so excited about the huge turnout in the American elections that I just have to post this. It seems as if the nation is finally turning out in droves to make their mark – to mark the need for a change of direction.
Already at the crack of dawn, people in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, turned out to vote in the dark.
This atmospheric shot was snapped by Ed Reinke and uploaded to The New York Times.
Also – before dawn – we see sleepy-eyed Virginians ready to vote.
Thanks to Jim Lo Scalzo for sending this in to the NY Times.
It has been taking voters over an hour to get into the polling stations to vote. Queues are snaking around neighbourhoods as people wait their turn.
Brian Larsen whiled away the wait by taking this photo in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This is my favourite photo (thanks Kichiro Sato for sending this in to the NY Times). Away from the crowds, in Beck’s Mill General Store, Ohio, in a place where time seems to stand still: there, hidden in in an aisle amongst the household cleaning products, a farmer’s wife casts her vote. It seems like such a solitary poll booth – and yet, so connected with what else is going on in the country today (or is that yesterday?).
Over here in Europe, we woke up earlier than normal to see whether the face of politics had changed.
You have not disappointed us: the change that we sensed in the air has become a reality. Who knows? Four years from now, we may be disappointed. But today the long and difficult journey starts off with hope – and the acknowledgment that change is necessary.
And, for today, that is enough.
Lady Fi 
what a testament to the American people…..
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…and the world breathes a HUGE sigh of relief 😀
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I am impressed. After speaking to some Americans I thought it could go the other way!
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I have to admit that i was worried people were going to give up and go home when they saw the lines. Good for you America! 🙂
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Long lines…ridiculously long lines…just because there’s so many attempts to scam…
But who cares today. My “brother from another mother” won!!!!!! 🙂
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Agreed!
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Yes, they all do that. I thought Obama was actually being a bit of a maverick himself with the longer version, “may God bless America”.
I’m impressed by the queues. We’re supposed to be a great queuing nation but I wonder if Brits would wait that long.
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It is a long journey, and indeed one that starts with hope. We can only wait and see, and wish him well.
It is a very heavy weight he will shoulder.
Jen
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Well said Jen! There was no line out here in the boonies of Minnesota. We walked right in signed our names and voted and chatted with the Election Judges who we both know well. Took all of 10 minutes chatting and all. It took longer to fill in all the little ovals perfectly than anything else:)
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It has been SO exhilarating here – definitely something special going on. We live in a small town, and although there was a line at my polling location for the first time since I’ve lived here, it moved quickly and I was in and out in about 10 minutes. I actually felt a bit guilty about not having to suffer more in a long line. And now, after staying up WAY past my bedtime to watch the results roll in, I’m going to bed early tonight!
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Cool pictures – and long lines. With the option of early voting, the lines are definitely a choice. People like the idea of voting ON election day, I think (and having the story to tell “I stood in line for xxx hours when Obama was elected). As for myself? I didn’t vote. Having lived in the states for over 20 years, and being qualified for citizenship from the start, I just have never gotten around to going through the process. My vote in my state would not have changed the results – the candidate I’d have voted for totally took the state. Maybe I’ll work on citizenship before the next election rolls around.
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Coming very late to the party….
Early voting made a huge difference here in NC. Those who voted early were the ones to wait in the longer lines. Those who voted on Election Day didn’t wait long at all. Another reason early voting made a difference here in NC…President Elect Obama won with the early voters by 175,000 votes. McCain won on Election Day by 161,000 votes. Because of early voting, my state elected a Democrat for the first time since I was 4 years old.
I am very proud.
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I hope we are not dissapointed a year or two years from now. Mr. Obama spent a LOT of money on his campaign…..hopefully he didn’t have to sell his soul to win.
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