Story Created:
Aug 28, 2008 at 7:27 AM AKST
Story Updated:
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:28 AM AKST
Today was the last push for campaigning -- especially for those who were facing a very closely contested race.
Don't forget, there are also some contentious ballot measures being decided today.
You may have seen that on the way to and from work with hundred of sign wavers across town trying to get you vote in today's primaries.
On the streets of anchorage, sign wavers were competing for a honk or wave from drivers for their measures or candidates.
Their target is the undecided voters.
Drumming, mega phones,and chanting were just some of things drivers saw and heard on the road
People waving signs were spread all thruout town mostly during rush hour focusing on very populated intersections.
Some even made a day out of it -- camping out and waving to commuters soaking up the last hours before the polls close tonight.
Passionate signers on both sides were shoulder to shoulder in some cases hoping to get their point across.
Colleen Celly is voting yes on 4. "We've got a lot of honks, a lot of positive people. I just had some thumbs up a minute ago, so a lot cars driving by -- real positive."
Kara Baker is voting no on 4. "It's been pretty receptive. We've had a lot people waving and supporting us. I've actually had someone over there from the vote yes ask me why i was voting no, and he understood my side of it."
Alaskans went to their polling centers in all 40 districts today to vote on 4 ballot measures, primary races for U.S. House and Senate, and Alaska House and Senate districts.
The state division of elections says this year's primary voting turn-out is normal compared to last year.
This afternoon, it says it got more than a thousand steady calls for polling place locaters.
Officials say it's still too early to see the overall voter turnout statewide.
As of yesterday, the number of early voters surpassed the 2004 primary's 1,500 -- with over 5,200 people.
Though general elections tend to get more voters, some precincts say today they were surprised to see a solid turn out for the primaries.
Marcey Vreeland is an Anchorage precinct chair. "The last general election was very slow and this really has stepped up quite a bit. So i hope it's going to continue until 7:00 tonight."
Michael Howard is another precinct chair. "I think generally we are expecting more for the general elections in november, but folks seem excited. A lot of folks are just showing up and just saying -- ready to vote... grabbing out their I.D. Card... Just really excited about it."
For all you procrastinators, polls are open until 8 tonight.
To find your closest voting location, you can call toll-free (888) 383-8683.
And an interesting note, we're down to 438 precincts across the state.
2 precincts were merged in the southeast a month ago.
The division of elections says that's because of low voter-turnout in the north part of Prince of Whales.
Voters now have to go to Klawock.