Mallory Gore, 20, of Portage, a student at Butler University, said she decided to vote early at the north Porter County Government Annex because she was home during fall break.

This is her first time voting in a presidential election, and she said she cast her ballot for U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Although she already had made her mind up, she said she watched the Wednesday night debate while doing homework.

"Both candidates have good qualifications. It was a tough decision to make," Gore said.

Joanne Kukla, 64, of Portage, also decided to come to the annex in Portage to vote early because she wanted to beat the crowds she expects will be there on Election Day.

Kukla said she voted for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

She said she made up her mind prior to any of the three debates.

"I knew who I wanted to vote for but the most recent debate reaffirmed it for me because he answered all my questions on jobs and the economy," she said.

Lutheria Love, 88, of Gary, doesn't drive anymore so she was happy to get a ride from her granddaughter to the Lake County Government Complex in Crown Point.

"I brought my grandma to vote," said Kura Jeter, 34, of Merrillville.

Both women cast their vote for Obama.

Jeter said she fell asleep during Wednesday's debate between Obama and McCain.

"But my mind was already made up before the debate," Jeter said.

Lamingo Tomlin, 37, of Gary, and his fiancee Yolanda Winfield, 32, of Hobart, said they traveled to Crown Point to pick up a marriage license.

Voting at the same location was a bonus.

"We were able to kill two birds with one stone," Winfield said.

Both had watched the recent debate but both had already made up their minds to vote for Obama.