U.S. Voters Head to Polls

Mid-term elections are normally characterized by low voter turnout, but several close races, the outcome of which could determine which party controls Congress, may drive a higher number of citizens to the voting booths.

With Monday’s appointment of an interim U.S. senator in Minnesota, the Senate now stands at 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and two independents. In the House there are 222 Republicans, 208 Democrats and two independents

Election officials are hoping that the problems that plagued many state and municipal voting systems during the 2000 presidential election won’t be repeated. Early problems, however, during primary voting in states such as Florida and Maryland have given rise to new worries.

The U.S. Justice Department, state governments, both major parties, many individual campaigns, and private groups have dispatched monitors to various areas of the country to try to ensure a clean and orderly process.

The Democratic and Republican parties have put attorneys on stand-by to appeal to the judiciary should they feel that voting has gone awry or any illegalities have taken place.

Weather, also, could be a complicating factor this election. Rain is expected in parts of the Southern and Eastern United States and severe weather has been reported in Louisiana. Bad weather typically depresses voter turnout — and turnout may make the difference in a number of contests.

President Bush went to his hometown voting precinct — a firehouse in Crawford, Texas — to cast his vote after a whirlwind two-week campaign trip that ended with the president barnstorming through the South.

“I’m encouraging all people across this country to vote,” the president told reporters.