CHICAGO, IL —

Today, Chicagoans hope to send one of their own to the White House.
I’ve been here since yesterday, walking around Hyde Park (where Obama lives), walking up to Obama National Headquarters, and eating sausage with sauerkraut at Berghoff’s (Abe Froman reference, anyone?).

On my way out to the University of Chicago yesterday, nearly everyone on the bus from downtown was talking about politics. Intensely. “McCain should never have picked Palin,” said one man, who thinks Palin will cost McCain the election. The commuters near him agreed, and the conversation continued for the entire 35 minute ride.

But it didn’t stop there. I have seriously not stopped hearing people talk about the election (as would be expected on a very big Election Day). People seem anxious, paranoid, uncertain.

“All I can do it hope and pray. Hope and pray,” said one man.
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Penn President Amy Gutmann just voted in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall. She was followed to her polling place by professor John DiIulio’s Intro to American Politics class, which she addressed on College Green before going to vote.

Gutmann, who was described by DiIulio as a, “lean, mean civic-engagement machine,” applauded the class and Penn Leads the Vote for their hard work.

“This has been an amazing and really history-making campaign in terms of leading the vote,” she said.

Check back later to see video of Gutmann voting.

When the polls opened at 7 a.m. this morning, long lines had already gathered in front of most polling stations on campus. Poll workers at Harnwell College House estimated that nearly 70 students had lined up to vote when the station opened. Harrison College House and the Walnut Street Library (on the southeast corner of 40th and Walnut Streets) each had about 30 in line at the start of the day, according to poll workers at both locations.

Although workers said the high early turnout made for a somewhat hectic morning, the lines didn’t seem to impede anyone from voting — the workers didn’t see anyone leave their line before getting a chance to vote.

Facebook is joining in the Election Day action with the “Election Rally on Facebook,” which urges users to “donate your status” to the Election. People seem to be doing doing it — my Facebook News Feed is dominated by “X is getting out the vote for Barack Obama/John McCain. Last chance to join the rally: http://causes.com/election/26916683?m=ce0c7175.”

Facebook is also keeping a tally of the number of users who have voted so far today. As of 1:45, 2,146,349 users reported voting. Could Facebook be influencing turnout?

Students handing out Obama stickers

Members of the Penn Democrats and Penn for Obama are giving out stickers to those who voted for the presidential candidate. If the number of people who chose to take them indicates voting results, Obama is doing very well. 

College freshman Daniel Rockower, who was giving out stickers outside of the voting area at the Penn Care and Rehibilitation Center, said “It definitely seems that the majority are taking the stickers.”

Rockower added that there do not seem to be supporters of Republican presidential candidate John McCain who are “pissed off” when asked if they want one.

Polls opened in Pennsylvania about three hours ago, though it’s OK if you’re just waking up–there’s still plenty of time before polls close this evening.

A quick scan of polling locations showed the lines aren’t that bad right now. In fact, the line at Starbucks under Commons (where I just got my free coffee!) is longer than the lines to vote in the polling places in the high rises. The free-coffee thing seems to be going well for Starbucks; plenty of students are still ordering venti iced Americanos and they’re definitely busier than normal.

And while nice, the promotion doesn’t appear to be a motivating factor to mobilize votes. Vet student Carolyn Abramson said that, while the promotion was “kind of awesome” she had voted before hearing about the free tall. Plenty of students, too, are wearing “I voted!” stickers but still shelling out Dining Dollar$ for their fave drink. 

Don’t forget that this afternoon between 5 and 8pm you can pick up a free scoop of Ben and Jerry’s in honor of democracy as well. I recommend Americone Dream. 

Number of Barack the Vote shirts sighted so far: 9

Number of Penn Leads the Vote shirts sighted so far: 6

TELL US WHAT YOU SEE!

Are there long lines?
Are you having any problems?
Is there any confusion?
Who got a free Ben & Jerry’s for voting? Starbucks?

Write in your stories of Election Day. And go vote.

The polls opened only a few hours ago, but there have already been some issues.

Poll workers at Steinberg Dietrich Hall, where residents of Rodin and Du Bois College Houses are casting their ballots, said they have made a number of students cast provisional ballots because their names were not in the voting books.

Also, mechanics have already had to come in to fix voting machines at the Penn Care and Rehabilitation Center polling area on 36th and Chestnut Streets.

If you haven’t seen it already, check out the Daily Pennsylvanian’s pre-election poll of Penn students. Some of the more interesting results are shown in below.

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If you want to get live election updates while you’re in class (or standing in line to vote) just text follow dailypenn to 40404.

Otherwise, check this blog, along with www.dailypennsylvanian.com throughout the day to keep up to date with our live coverage.