Early voting gets under way
From the "Wolf Blitzer Reports" staff
CNN
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Election Day is still more than two weeks away, but balloting has already begun is some states, drawing some very familiar faces to the polls.
"It's pretty exciting voting for your son," former first lady Barbara Bush said as she and former President Bush cast their ballots in Houston, Monday.
"It's such an honor and privilege to be voting for him," George H.W. Bush said. "I think we're gonna win big."
Texas is among four states where early voting started today. The others are Colorado, Arkansas and Florida.
Balloting has already begun in Nevada, New Mexico, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
With interest in the election high and a large number of first-time voters expected, early balloting is one way to avoid long lines on Election Day.
But in Florida, the source of so much turmoil in the last presidential election, early voting revealed reform still has a way to go.
There were reports of incomplete absentee ballots, as well as computer glitches.
"The problem here is that there is a problem with the connection to the mainframe," said one poll worker.
"The first day of early voting, we do have some technical things that need to be worked out. I think it's just the nature of the beast. We're on top of it and we'll get it taken care of in short order," said another.
Overall, early voters said they were pleased with the process. But with memories of the 2000 Florida fiasco still fresh, some remain cautious.
"Well, I wanted to get it over with I guess," said one voter. "It feels good. I got it over with and it's done. I hope it makes a difference. I hope it's counted."
