After hearing about the presidential election all year long, we knew the turnout would be larger than normal. The build-up to Election Day was enormous.

Who would take on the presidency, Sen. Barack Obama, who could become the first African-American president, or Sen. John McCain? All of America was swept up in the excitement of this election. It seemed to be one of the most hyped elections.

Yet why were the polling places not prepared? I voted in the presidential primaries in May and had a much easier and quicker time voting. But that was only the primaries!

I went to my polling place before 6 a.m., expecting a large crowd and then waited in line for an hour and a half. The line continued to grow as I waited. They could have been more prepared for such huge expectations. They needed several more polling booths for each precinct and more judges to watch them. At least they could have had them available between 6 to 8 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. when most people come before or after work.

I hoped for better efficiency for such an important and historical election.

Deanna Udchitz, St. John