Voters Head To Polls For Important Election Day
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – After months of campaigning, it all comes down to today.
The candidates have done their part and now it's up to the voters to decide.
Polling locations around the state will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Even before the polls opened, more a dozen people were already in line at the Carnegie Library in Lawrenceville.
"I figure it's going to be crazy in the morning and the evening, so I figured I'd bite the bullet and come in the morning," Matt Davies said.
The library in Lawrenceville is one of 19 new polling places in Allegheny County.
"I've been at the same address for 10 years. So, it's been three different locations, but I always manage to find it and surprisingly, it's always the same folks working it and they're always very, very helpful," Davies said.
A fractured ankle didn't stop Sheila Robinson from voting.
"No, it's not, so everybody fractured ankles, broke up, busted up, come on out and vote," Robinson said.
For some voters, casting their ballots is a family affair.
"I always bring [my kids] with me. It's an important part of learning to be a citizen, learning to be a good neighbor, learning to be a part of your community," Chuck Staresinic said.
Officials say the turn out has been impressive this year.
"This morning I think a lot of people voted right at 7, so we did hear of lines," said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. "These presidential years have been extremely busy, extreme turn out."
If you are a first time voter in a district, you must provide proof of identification according to both state and federal law.
During the final hours of the campaign on Monday, Hillary Clinton spoke in North Carolina, while Donald Trump was in Michigan.
A poll conducted by Real Clear Politics from Oct. 29-Nov. 5 shows Clinton with 46 percent of the vote and Trump with 44 percent.
The candidates and their campaigns are well aware of how important Pennsylvania is to their chances of winning the White House.
"Well, Pennsylvania always looms large in our national elections, but it's particularly important this year," Gov. Mike Pence said.
"Pennsylvania is pretty essential to the math for any Democrat to get 270 electoral votes," Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook said.
In addition to president, Pennsylvanians will decide a host of other races including, the U.S. Senate race between Sen. Pat Toomey and Katie McGinty.
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