More Tuesday Turnout stories

From Pete in San Diego: "Waited in line for approx 1 hour it a light drizzle—most people were in good spirits and taking the weather in stride (note, it’s the first time it’s rained since moving here in late august). Monica waited for about 45min last week to cast her ballot early at the registrar’s office, early voting apparently has had a high turnout in SD county."

From Mary in Portland Maine: "Okay, I got weepy just driving past Reiche school this morning 15 minutes after the polls open at 7:15 and seeing the line out to curb…" Reiche School is one end of Portland. My mother reports from the other end of town that she's never seen so many people at the polls. "It was a mob scene."

From MM in NJ: "Just got back from voting and WOW! I live in a safe Democratic congressional district and my polling place is in a very blue town, yet the lines were very long. Longer than I've ever seen. I waited more than 75 minutes to vote, compared to about 15 minutes in 2004, and about 10 minutes in 2006, 2002 and 2000. In the 1990s, I maybe had to wait 5 minutes tops in NJ. In the 1980s (NY, DC), I don't remember every having to wait. The turn out is just incredible. The commitment to America inspiring. I haven't felt this good about voting since I cast my first vote many decades ago. If this many people turn out in a safe district, I only hope even more people are turning out in contested districts. I would love to see NJ-7 and NJ-5 switch to Democrats!"

Got this one at noon Eastern from CA: "One coworker in Pasadena is still waiting - been there since 7:30...Another coworker from West Hollywood, is enduring a 3 block long wait. It took me an hour and five minutes this morning. 2004 it took about 8 minutes."

And, this from Nicole in suburb of St. Louis: "I am in Maplewood right outside the city limits. We are a small town that never gets much attention. I was involved in a tax levy a few years back that was hotly contested and the final turnout on that day was around 1,200. I just went to our polling place with my husband and kids and the line is two hours long! They said it was worse earlier. An older gentleman behind us quipped,"I didn't think there were this many people left in Maplewood." The Obama people are there handing out donuts ,papers, and chairs to sit in while you wait. I have always voted at this location and I am just stunned by the turnout and also by the fact that we actually have Volunteers! I am heading back up now and I will try to get a picture. This is nothing but great news for Obama. Not only are we St. louis county but we already lean heavily democrat. Yes we can!"