In a typical year, five election judges are on hand to help voters at the polls in Madison County.  This year there are six.

Students from high schools throughout the area — not yet old enough to vote — are acting as student election judges, helping sign in voters and trouble shoot.  It’s a long, 13-hour day, but the students are paid $150, just like the other poll workers. They also have to go through a training course, as well as supply their transcripts.

This year, because a Republican sits in the White House, there are three Republican election judges per precinct, and two Democrat.  Though the students are not yet registered, they seem to be leaning to the right.

“They assigned me to a party — the Republican party,” said Stephen Ellis, a junior at Edwardsville High School. “But I’d probably be registered as a Republican.”

Ellis said he was learning about the election process and helping handle the early-morning lines.  “It’s kind of good that I can say I was part of the election before I’m 18,” he said.

Shay Carter, 16, of Metro East Lutheran High School, said officials asked him what party he aligned with during the application process.  He told them he would vote for McCain.  Like Ellis, Carter said he was excited to get involved with the election process.  “Getting paid to miss school helped,” he joked.

Election officials in the Metro East said morning voting had gone smoothly, despite long lines and heavy turnout.

“Whenver you turn on 250 computers at the same time, a couple are going to go,” said Mark Von Nida, the Madison County clerk.  “It’s fairly heavy turnout, though not terrible.”