Record turnout is expected today as voters across the country head to the polls. In the presidential race, Democrat Barack Obama is leading Republican John McCain in every major national poll. If elected, Senator Barack Obama will become the nation’s first African American president. If the Republicans pull off an upset, John McCain would become the oldest first-time president, and Sarah Palin will become the nation’s first female vice president. Voters will also be casting ballots to elect the entire House of Representatives and one third of the seats in the US Senate. The Democrats are expected to gain seats in both the House and Senate. Eleven states are also electing governors today. The Associated Press reports voter registration numbers are up 7.3 percent from the last presidential election. Democrats saw their registration numbers increase by over 12 percent, while Republicans saw their ranks grow by less than two percent. The first votes on Election Day were cast just after midnight in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. Obama won the town by a vote of fifteen-to-six. He became the first Democrat since 1968 to win the town. On Monday, Barack Obama’s campaign stops included Jacksonville, Florida.

Sen. Obama: “Tomorrow you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election, that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat, that asks us to fear at a time when we need to hope. Tomorrow, at this defining moment in history, you, each and everyone of you, can give this country the change that we need.”

John McCain traveled to seven states on Monday as part of his last full day of campaigning. He spoke in Blountville, Tennessee.

Sen. McCain: “Now, let me give you some straight talk about the election. America faces a big choice, and there’s one day left. The pundits have written us off, just like they’ve done before and been wrong before, and my opponent is measuring the drapes in the White House. You know, they may not know it, but the Mac is back!”