Scenes from polls throughout area

Free Lance-Star reporters and photographers fanned out across the Fredericksburg area yesterday as residents flocked to the polls. Here are some of the more memorable sights and sounds from Election Day:

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER OR NOT

Courtney and Joan Jones came to the polls together, stood an hour in the rain together and enjoyed some quality mother-daughter time together.

But 22-year-old Courtney and 59-year-old Joan didn't share the same candidate.

As a young woman worried about how the world is going to look in 40 years, Courtney said Barack Obama best fits the mold. Her mom decided to vote for John McCain.

"I lost $80,000-some in the last month in the stock market," Joan Jones said. "The economy is the biggest issue."

Her daughter also was worried about finances, but more over the long term.

"It's not looking good for my future," she said of Social Security.

The two don't agree on politics, so they agree to disagree.

"We just don't talk about it," Courtney said with a laugh.

--Ellen Biltz

EVERY VOTE COUNTS

An event at King George High included a poster with these interesting facts for those who think their vote doesn't matter.

In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.

In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from being removed from office.

In 1923, one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party in Germany.

--Corey Byers

WORKING TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR OBAMA

The rusted burgundy truck pulled in front of New City Fellowship Church, decorated with Obama signs and toys from the Nickelodeon TV show "Bob the Builder."

Painted on the side of one of the ladders tied to the top of the truck was the message: "Bob the Builder and Barack Obama both say 'Yes we can!' You betcha we can, Sarah Palin!"

The decorated truck belongs to Bob Lowry, who has owned Lowry Construction in Fredericksburg for more than two decades.

"I've been minding my own business for 25 years," he said.

Lowry said he didn't buy into the McCain-Palin ticket's appeal for small-business owners.

"I'm the answer to Joe the Plumber," said Lowry. "McCain's tax cuts just don't cut it for me."

Date published: 11/5/2008