MONROE - It might have been the warmer-than-usual weather, or the bright morning sunshine, but people in line to vote this morning in Monroe were patient and smiling as they waited for the doors to open at 7 o'clock.
About 75 people lined up from the door at the Monroe Community Center to the parking lot to the east of city hall.
People spoke to each other not only as neighbors or residents of Monroe, but as citizens who came to exercise the most basic freedom granted to all Americans. It was a chance for them to take part in what has been described as one of the most historic elections in modern times.
Two voters, Gottlieb and Lu Brandli, were in line by 6:40, 20 minutes before the polls opened.
Like many voters who lined up early, they said they like to avoid the larger crowds and longer lines that become common toward the end of the day.
"Come early and vote often," Gottlieb Brandli joked.
Jelayne Underwood said she wanted to vote before she went to work instead of trying to vote after she finished. By 7 p.m., the lines get longer, she said.
Jeff Sullivan used to vote in the township before he moved to Monroe. For him, voting always was an easy thing to do.
"You just walked in and voted," he said. "There weren't that many people waiting in line."
After he saw the line of people, he said he was glad he came out early.
Alvin Strahm, who said he also prefers to vote early, was surprised by the line of people at city hall. He said it appeared more people were in line to vote than in previous elections.
Monroe City Clerk Carol Stamm said the number of people who came out early to vote was normal for a presidential election. She expected the number of people to vote to be steady throughout the day.
In 2004, 76 percent of eligible voters in Monroe turned out to vote.
It took about 10 minutes for registered voters to cast their ballots.
Voters who weren't registered can register at the polls. They will need their Wisconsin driver's license or other proof of residence, such as a cable bill, electric bill or a tax bill. A residential lease, bank statement or current paycheck also is acceptable identification.
Polls in Wisconsin remain open until 8 p.m. today.
About 75 people lined up from the door at the Monroe Community Center to the parking lot to the east of city hall.
People spoke to each other not only as neighbors or residents of Monroe, but as citizens who came to exercise the most basic freedom granted to all Americans. It was a chance for them to take part in what has been described as one of the most historic elections in modern times.
Two voters, Gottlieb and Lu Brandli, were in line by 6:40, 20 minutes before the polls opened.
Like many voters who lined up early, they said they like to avoid the larger crowds and longer lines that become common toward the end of the day.
"Come early and vote often," Gottlieb Brandli joked.
Jelayne Underwood said she wanted to vote before she went to work instead of trying to vote after she finished. By 7 p.m., the lines get longer, she said.
Jeff Sullivan used to vote in the township before he moved to Monroe. For him, voting always was an easy thing to do.
"You just walked in and voted," he said. "There weren't that many people waiting in line."
After he saw the line of people, he said he was glad he came out early.
Alvin Strahm, who said he also prefers to vote early, was surprised by the line of people at city hall. He said it appeared more people were in line to vote than in previous elections.
Monroe City Clerk Carol Stamm said the number of people who came out early to vote was normal for a presidential election. She expected the number of people to vote to be steady throughout the day.
In 2004, 76 percent of eligible voters in Monroe turned out to vote.
It took about 10 minutes for registered voters to cast their ballots.
Voters who weren't registered can register at the polls. They will need their Wisconsin driver's license or other proof of residence, such as a cable bill, electric bill or a tax bill. A residential lease, bank statement or current paycheck also is acceptable identification.
Polls in Wisconsin remain open until 8 p.m. today.