INDIANAPOLIS -- Turnout was strong, perhaps record-breaking, in Indiana Tuesday as the state took part in a historic election, and the Indiana outcome could be pivotal to the presidential race.

There were lines at many polling places Tuesday morning, but crowds diminished later in the day before polls closed at 6 p.m. Still, some election officials projected record turnout.

---

Analysis: Capitol WatchBlog
Images: Indiana Votes

---

Polls indicated the showdown between Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is too close to call in Indiana, prompting those with passionate opinions about the candidates to come out in droves.

"I think … it's going to be historic no matter who wins," said Scott Onweller, who voted in Hamilton County.

"I would say this is probably the most important election we've ever voted," said John Hughel, 75, of Indianapolis, who gave his first vote for president in 1960 to John F. Kennedy.

Troy McElvaney, a 43-year-old black man from Indianapolis, couldn't contain his smile as he waited in line to cast his vote for Obama.

"It's history-making," he said. "We've never been there. We're going to a new level."

Connie Smith, 53, of Indianapolis, chose McCain and running mate Sarah Palin.

"I think she brings the diversity to the side of the Republican Party," Smith said.

Indiana has been a reliably red state in presidential politics in recent history, but the close race this year prompted Democrats to spend money in hopes of an Obama victory here.

Republicans also spent time and some money in Indiana, hoping to keep Indiana in the GOP column. Indiana hasn't voted for a Democrat in a presidential race since 1964.

Underscoring Indiana's importance on the national stage, Obama briefly visited the United Auto Workers Local 550 "Get Out The Vote" call center on Indianapolis' west side Tuesday morning. He stayed about 45 minutes and made 13 phone calls before leaving for Chicago to watch results pour in.

The other race that will be watched closely statewide is the battle between incumbent Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson. Most polls have shown a double-digit lead for Daniels.

Traffic was brisk but controlled at polling places 6News visited Tuesday morning. There were long lines at several polling places, but most of the lines subsided later. Another rush of voters was expected from 3 p.m. until the polls close.

Early voting likely dented some of the large crowds. Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita said that just under 700,000 people, about 14 percent of the state's registered voters, voted early statewide.

Poll workers reminded voters to bring photo identification when they come to vote. Few problems were reported at polling places.

"Indiana voters are getting familiar with this. It's been required for a little over a year," said polling inspector Leon Riley. "It has to be a government-issued identification. It has to have an expiration date, a picture on it."

"The phones are ringing but everything is very routine," said Marion County Clerk Beth White. "Various supply issues, but nothing major or catastrophic. Nothing systemwide, nothing indicating the machines are not working."

Brian Leland, 25, of Indianapolis came out before dawn to cast his vote on the way to work. Leland voted for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and said he hopes the next president focuses on fixing the economy.

"I personally feel like the next four years are going to be the most difficult and important four years in quite some time, so I wanted to make sure I took the time to voice my opinion," he said.

Another early morning voter, Thomas Pfeiffer, 56, of Indianapolis, declined to say who he voted for, but he said he'd support whoever won.

"It's more important, just to be a decent citizen," he said. "That matters most, more than anything."