The election fight is on in Alexandria, Louisiana

Supporters of Barack Obama hold signs near the intersection of Jackson Street and MacArthur Boulevard

Christian Adams, the youngster who gained national attention for writing a letter to Sen. Barack Obama earlier this year, holds a sign for his candidate while standing at the intersection of Jackson Street and MacArthur Boulevard in Alexandria, Louisiana.

A supporter of Sen. John McCain holds a sign while standing at the intersection of Jackson Street and MacArthur Boulevard in Alexandria, Louisiana

 

 

By Leonard Ford Jr.

The Light

 

It’s Election Day in the United States, and in Alexandria, Louisiana the race is on with excitement in the air as people are casting their votes to make history one way or the other.

 

The intersection of Jackson Street and MacArthur Boulevard is abuzz with supporters for both Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama are holding signs for their candidates in a last minute effort to drum up support.

 

Here’s a look at some of the polling places in predominately black precincts in Alexandria:

 

Leo Joseph, cCommissioner in charge at Peabody Montessori, said that the precinct has been busy all morning. He stated that there were about 50 people waiting in line when they arrived to open up about 5:30 a.m. As of 10:41a.m., 195 people had voted.

 

Voter Antoinette Booze  said, “I think Obama will win if black people get out and vote.”

Johnnie Walder said, “I hope Obama wins because we need him.”

 

Acadian Elementary School’s precinct had 429 people who had voted as of 10:50 a.m.

Vivian Davis who was in line waiting to vote said, “I think that everyone should be out voting. History will be made.”

 

Elizabeth Allen, an election commissioner at Phoenix Academic Magnet Elementary School, said their precinct had a steady stream of people voting all morning. She said that 155 people had voted by 11:05 a.m. “That number is good for this area,” she said.

 

Mary M. Washington, commissioner in charge, at Martin Luther King Center said that 282 people had voted as of 11:15 a.m. She said  the line had been steady all morning, and that there was a line of people waiting to vote before 6 a.m.. Washington also said some people came to vote, but their names were not on the register.

 

Dorothy Anderson, who had voted, at the Center said, “I hope he (Obama) wins.”

 

Over at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School, Edward Hogan, commissioner in charge said 283 people had voted by 11:30 a.m. He said there was a line of people from 6 to 8:30 a.m., and that voting had been continuous throughout the morning. He stated that the precinct has 900 people on the register.

 

Meanwhile, Peabody Magnet School’s Commission Leatrice Hogan, said that 199 people had voted as of 11:45 a.m.