Early voting draws crowd in Lucas County - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

First Lady Michele Obama was in Cincinnati, Tuesday, to kick off early voting in Ohio.  In Lucas County, long lines of eagar voters one month before Election Day.

In 2008, 1.7 million Ohioans cast an early ballot.  From the looks of the early voting center at Summit and Bush today... you'd think we'd break that mark this year.
     
"Don't boo, vote"

Last week in Bowling Green, OH, the president revved up supporters trying to get them to vote early.   Today, you'd have to say people are excited.

Voter Carol Brown told 13 abc reporter Bill Hormann, "There's a lot of people here, they been busy all day and yet it didn't take me that long to do it so it's a good way to go."

Chris Cummings wanted to vote early, as well.  "Just anxious to vote just wanted to get it in before anything else could happen," he said.

Of course,  the presidential debates begin Wednesday night between Mitt Romney and President Obama.  Debates are sometimes game changers but early voters cannot change their vote once its cast.

Patricia Chatman says voters should have already made up their minds.  "I'm sure both candidates will have real good answers but I think you should have already studied both candidates and the issues and so forth."

Eliza Jackson doesn't care what happens during the last month of campaiging, "and I'm glad I voted early.  Now it's over with.  I don't have to worry about that anymore."

The Summit YMCA is where everyone in Lucas County can vote early.  the Democrats are here, they have their signs.  They have their sample ballot with all the Democratic candidates.  The Republican party's not our here though."

"believe you're going to help me win Ohio, I tell you that alright"

Republican Mitt Romney is behind in the polls, in Ohio.  Last week he told a crowd he needs their help to win.  Every vote will count, and at least today, Republicans aren't outside the polling place pitching their candidates.

But as for voting early, Valrie Kantorski admits, she no longer has to pay attention to annoying campaign ads.  "Well, we have been bombarded, understandably, so with some of them."

But people want their voices heard and Maudie Rixey believes by casting an early ballot, she's keeping the election honest.  She told 13 abc, "There may be a little shaky (business going on) because I think people are going to try to cheat."

As for the cost of early voting, it costs taxpayers to lease the space for the early voting site,. and for computers and hiring poll workers for a month.