Checking in from Woodland Presbyterian Church at 42nd and Pine Streets. Poll workers here tell me that voter turnout is already much higher than normal.

By 10:30, there had been about 85 voters at the polling place. As expected, turnout is especially high among students and democrats. According to one worker, it usually takes until 5:00 for the democrat turnout to get as high as it usually is.

Republicans aren’t expected to show up in force and the only one I encountered was an elderly woman. Still, one poll worker told me that he expects some republicans to show up and show support for Rep. Ron Paul and Gov. Mike Huckabee, who are both still on the ballot in PA.

Also, 25 students have already shown up to vote here, compared to about 5 at this time on a typical primary. “We usually don’t get that many students, but this is a polarizing election,” said election judge Tom Mervine.

Jonathan Fuchs, a recent transfer to Penn, cast his vote for Obama, citing his idealism and rhetoric in supporting him.

Penn student Braden Lepisto chose Obama because “he seems intelligent and confident, and can do a better job than Hillary.” As for the other offices up for grabs, Lepisto admitted that he “didn’t know anything about” them, and “they got some free votes.”

Not much else to report here: the machines are working fine and the only disturbance of the morning consisted of a group of high school girls singing and dancing outside of the church for a few minutes, in support of Obama.

Don’t forget to go out and vote, there’s no line right now if you’re voting down here!