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Battle for Virginia; Missouri Showdown; E-Voting Concerns

Aired November 07, 2006 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips.
Welcome to this special Election Day edition of CNN NEWSROOM.

The balance of power on Capitol Hill. Will America choose a new direction or stay the course? Today the voters decide.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And hello, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

Tracking voter turnout crucial in any election, but this time around it's termed critical for both parties.

We'll break it all down.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Heidi Collins. What issues are sending voters to the polls? One big one is obvious: the war in Iraq. But is today's election really a referendum on the president and his policies?

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Don Lemon.

Voters are choosing more than just candidates, and a number of states are deciding on initiatives that could become law. You'll want to find out what pregnant pigs -- that's right, pregnant pigs -- have to do with politics.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN's live coverage of "America Votes".

PHILLIPS: The view live this hour from Capitol Hill. It's about to get a facelift. And how will it look is up to you, the voters.

Twelve years of Republican control may come to a screeching halt if the polls and political pundits are right. This is what it comes down to.

In the House, Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats so gain a majority. In the Senate, the magic number for Democrats to gain is six of the 33 seats in play.

Several states are tough battlegrounds for Democrats and Republicans. And that's where we've deployed the best political television. We have crews across the country set to bring you the most comprehensive coverage of today's midterm elections.

Today is all about turnout.

In Virginia, it's a close race between incumbent Republican senator George Allen and Democratic challenger Jim Webb.

Let's get straight to CNN's Ed Henry. He's in Richmond.

Hey, Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Kyra.

You know, we're being told by the Board of Elections here in Virginia that all across this commonwealth it's very heavy turnout, including both candidates turning out to vote for themselves, presumably, today. But listen to this. The absentee ballots, the last time there was a midterm election, 2002, only 44,000 absentee ballots. 2006, there have been 131,000 absentee ballots requested.

Not everyone is going to turn in those absentee ballots. But almost triple what we saw in 2002, basically.

So much anticipation and excitement. So much at stake. This has been one of the closest but also one of the nastiest.

The Republican, George Allen, the incumbent senator facing charges of racism. The Democrat, Jim Webb, facing allegations of sexism because of his writings.

Interesting that at Senator Allen's last rally last night here in Richmond -- I was there -- there were only about 250 people, while across the state Jim Webb had 5,000, 6,000 people because he was with former president Bill Clinton at his last rally. Enthusiasm for Webb, in part, on the issue of Iraq.

As you know, Jim Webb has a son serving in Iraq right now. He wears his combat boots on the campaign trail.

George Allen has been on the defensive on the issue of Iraq. And, in fact, last night, a last-minute gambit bought two minutes of TV time to address the voters directly.

George Allen saying mistakes have been made in Iraq, but give me another chance, another six years to turn this around. Along with other issues, of course.

I spoke last night to a senior Republican in the Allen camp who was telling me they were going to bed not knowing how it was going to turn out. After I reported that, I got a call from a second senior person in the Allen camp saying, "We're very confident we're going to win."

Obviously everyone playing the expectations game -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ed Henry, we'll be talking to you a lot throughout the day from Richmond -- thanks.

Heidi.

COLLINS: Judgment day in the Show-Me State. We're watching a close Senate race between Republican incumbent Jim Talent and Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill.

CNN's Jonathan Freed has a very close look from right there in St. Louis.

Hi there, Jonathan.

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.

It has been a dead heat. That is the way this race has been described here for weeks. And what that means is that both camps are really digging in, in terms of turnout today. Turnout is important in any election, but when it is as close as this one, getting people to the polls on a day like today is what it is all about.

One of the things that is motivating people here is a stem cell ballot initiative, whether or not to allow -- to guarantee, that the federal allowances for stem cell research would always be in place here in Missouri. There are hundreds of millions of dollars waiting to be pumped into this state in terms of research, people hanging back to see whether or not that guarantee is going to pass today. And people equally interested to know whether or not that is galvanizing voters, even more voters to come to the polls, and how that might affect this very close Senate race -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Very close indeed.

All right. Jonathan Freed from St. Louis, Missouri, today.

Thanks, Jonathan.

LEMON: About 80 percent of all votes will be cast today on electronic voting machines. How confident should you be that your vote will count?

Let's give you a look at the kinds of systems being used in some key races.

In Missouri, Talent versus McCaskill, the machines are touch screen with a paper trail. They also use an optical scanner to read ballots.

In New Jersey, Kean versus Menendez. The machines use an optical scanner to read the ballots as well.

Ohio now, DeWine versus Brown, the system includes touch screens with a paper trail and an optical scanner.

And in Tennessee, Corker versus Ford, it's a touch screen, plus optical scanner.

And in Virginia, Allen versus Webb, also a touch screen, plus an optical scanner.

There's a lot of concern about touch screens, and CNN's Brian Todd shows us why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Touch screen or optical scan, how you vote, how it's counted, a huge issue in this election because of the problems some of these machines have presented in recent cycles. Listen to how one expert compares this equipment to machines that handle much more volume.

KENNETH GROSS, ELECTION LAW ATTORNEY: It still amazes me that the machines are freezing up on Election Day, but I've never gotten more than the exact amount of $20 bills that I've asked for when I put my card in the ATM machine.

TODD: There are a few companies that make electronic voting machines. Experts tell CNN, many of the problems are the result of simple, technical breakdown. But activists also charge that those companies don't adequately secure the machines, making them vulnerable to hackers. And they say there's little oversight on the manufacturing.

CHELLIE PINGREE, COMMON CAUSE: We're already worried about the audibility standards, about our inability to get access to what the proprietary codes are. In a sense, nobody knows and nobody regulates what goes on in these machines.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: And Brian Todd joins us now.

Brian, you are in one of the states that experienced problems with electronic voting in the primaries. What can you tell us about Maryland's troubles and how the systems are working today?

TODD: Well, Maryland's troubles in the primary were well documented, Don. A lot of problems.

First, the so-called e-polling books. These are digital voter registration rolls (ph). A lot of them just simply malfunctioned. So that caused a lot of delays.

Then some poll workers were either not issued or forgot to bring access cards to the ballot booth so that voters could actually get access to the machines. Then at the end of the day on Primary Day, some poll workers forgot to remove the memory cards so that the votes could be tallied accurately.

Now, Maryland election officials do say -- excuse me, that was a little bug here. Maryland officials do say that the system has been corrected, all of those problems have been addressed. And we are getting reports today, from this precinct at the very least, that the system is working almost flawlessly.

We just talked to an election judge a moment ago. He says no problems at this precinct. And as you can see, a lot of lines here, a lot of volume. People have been coming in here pretty steadily all morning. It really started to build up at about 10:00 a.m. But a steady line of people, they've been moving through very quickly. No problems with the touch screens at this location -- Don.

LEMON: So, Brian, the only bugs that are working out are the ones that are bothering you today.

TODD: That's right, bothering me. Right, exactly.

LEMON: Thank you.

Brian Todd in Maryland.

HARRIS: From dark horse to front runner in a day. What's the recipe? Start with the Mark Foley sexual suggestive e-mails and just let it simmer.

This is Election Day coverage. And you are in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: However today's vote shakes out, it's sure to have an effect on President Bush. Will he rule the roost or be a lame duck?

LEMON: The initiatives at stake this year from minimum wage to the language we speak. Who's deciding? And where are they deciding it?

Ahead as America votes.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

PHILLIPS: And stay with CNN for unmatched coverage of the elections.

Primetime begins at 7:00 Eastern. Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn and Lou Dobbs lead the best polemical team on television as your votes are counted.

Then a special two-hour late-night edition of "LARRY KING LIVE". That begins at midnight in the East, 9:00 p.m. in the West.

Trust CNN for the races, the results, and the ramifications.

Stay with us. We're back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: People out and about on the streets of New York. Right in front of Columbus Circle there, the CNN Election Express bus. Love to see that.

Meanwhile, six short weeks ago, Florida's 16th congressional district was considered very safe for Republicans. But then Mark Foley's salacious e-mails came to life and everything changed.

Here now, CNN's John Zarrella.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In the final hours before Election Day, Republican Joe Negron campaigned for votes at a busy intersection. A month ago Negron's political future intersected with the political demise of Congressman Mark Foley. Hand picked by the Republican Party to replace Foley, many experts felt there was no way Negron could overcome the congressional page scandal. But in four weeks, Negron has gone from no shot, to long shot, to a real shot.

JOE NEGRON, (R) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: This is a conservative district. We want change, but we want conservative change. That's one reason that I think this campaign has really taken off.

ZARRELLA: In a district encompassing eight counties, from the West Coast to the East Coast, Negron, and his Democratic opponent Tim Mahoney, have put in a lot of miles.

TIM MAHONEY, (D) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: I'm Tim Mahoney. I'm running for Congress.

ZARRELLA: Mahoney has seen his double-digit lead evaporate, but still believes people will vote for change.

MAHONEY: If you think that we can do better, if you think we can work together better in Washington; we can restore our values? I'm the person that's going to go up there and make the changes.

ZARRELLA: Bottom line, this election is much likely to be closer than either party thought just a month ago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: John Zarrella joining us now live.

And John, we know Mark Foley's name is still on the ballot. What's the cause for concern as far as confusion may go on this very Election Day?

ZARRELLA: Well, you know, if you are the Republicans, you hope there's no confusion at all when the people get into the voting booth here, or any of the places around the eight counties that are comprised in the 16th congressional district.

What they did was this -- what they did -- and you can look at the touch screen machine here in Broward County -- in Broward -- in Palm Beach County, and it shows Mark Foley's name at the top of the ballot there. But, of course, a vote for Foley is actually a vote for Joe Negron.

And the Republicans say that they believe that in this district, the people are well educated, they understand, they can figure it out. That's certainly what they are hoping is going to happen.

Now, if there remains confusion and voters come to their polling stations, and they are still a bit confused, they can ask the supervisor at the polling station for some help. And they will be given a sheet of paper here in Palm Beach County. The other eight, seven counties do it in different ways.

But here they are given a sheet of paper, and on it, it says a vote for Foley is a vote for Negron. A vote for Mahoney is a vote for Mahoney. And a vote for the Independent candidate is a vote for the Independent candidate.

And the Republicans have spent a lot of money here. They say, Heidi, that they always believed that this was a winnable race, even in the aftermath of the Foley scandal. And they've spent several million dollars here. And, in fact, they've tightened it up to where, you know, it appears that it's anybody's race going into today's voting -- Heidi.

COLLINS: And John Zarrella, we do forgive you for the mention of Broward County. Now, that was confusing a few years ago. All right.

John Zarrella live from Jupiter, Florida.

ZARRELLA: Yes.

COLLINS: Thank you.

HARRIS: Well, Montana's Senate race is another one of those contests where the usual lean for Republicans could tilt toward the Democrats this time around. Three-term incumbent Conrad Burns faces the hard charge of Democratic state senator Jon Tester.

Our man in Big Sky Country, Chris Lawrence, is live in Billings.

Chris, Hi.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey Tony. How are you?

I just talked to some of the voters this morning, and this race seems to be tight. We talked to one man who is a long-time friend of Conrad Burns, said he was happy to vote for him. Another man told us he was voting for change. But since Burns has been in office 18 years, you can pretty much figure his vote went for Jon Tester.

The last "USA Today"-Gallup poll had the Democrat, Jon Tester, leading Conrad Burns among likely voters 50 to 41 percent. But Burns' campaign called those numbers bogus, saying, "They just don't smell right." They say as recently as Friday, other polls had their man in a dead heat with Tester.

Now, Conrad Burns has been in office, again, 18 years. He's a very popular senator here in Montana. But he has been dogged by his association with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Jon Tester is the current president of the Montana State Senate. He's also a third generation organic farmer. But again, he has been painted in attack ads as a high taxer and too liberal for the state of Montana -- Tony. HARRIS: And Chris, what is -- there are two things here. You may not want to vote for Conrad Burns, but you have to vote for something. So if you are voting for Jon Tester, what has been his appeal in the state?

LAWRENCE: Well, he's talked about one thing. He's talked about the culture of corruption in Washington. And he's really hit Burns hard on being out of touch with Montana.

He said he's been in office 18 years, he's "gone Washington on us," he's not in touch with the people of Montana. And really, Tester is a different kind of Democrat. He's a farmer, he's a get your hands dirty kind of guy.

Not more of the urban elite Democrat. So he's trying to appeal to a lot of those rural and conservative voters that other Democrats may have just written off in the past.

HARRIS: Chris Lawrence for us in Billings, Montana.

Chris, thank you -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ohio especially hard hit by political scandal this election season. Ohio's Senate race pits Republican incumbent Mike DeWine against Democratic challenger Congressman Sherrod Brown.

CNN's Bob Franken is in Columbus with more -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.

And the vote here has been as predicted, we're being told. Quite substantial.

We have a live picture inside the polling place. And earlier in the day, it showed quite a chunk of voters standing in line. That seems to have been the case throughout the state.

Prediction was that, oh, close to 55 percent of those registered voters would be voting. By the way, there are 7.5 million voters in Ohio. And they have an awful lot of issues to consider.

The polls say that before the day is through, they will have replaced a lot of the Republican office holders with Democrats. That we'll have to see, because the Republicans have a formidable get-out- the-vote machine.

Now, the two candidates for Senate have voted. Mike DeWine, the incumbent Republican, behind in the polls, looking for that upset. His challenger, Democratic congressman Sherrod Brown, both filed their votes. They are now spending time going around and talking to their supporters before they hunker down for the night to wait for the results and come out either to concede or to declare victory.

The House of Representatives, there are five races in the 22 districts of Ohio where there is a battle going on. Either a close battle that usually the incumbent Republican would not have, or what is considered to be something that's going to be a real debacle for Republicans, with Democrats taking some of the districts, including the one of Bob Ney, who has been convicted of bribery charges and is waiting to go for prison -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: I'm curious, are you going to get any sleep tonight as I look at these voting machines and wonder, hmm?

FRANKEN: Well, certainly hope so. But it's going to be to a large degree up to those voting machines. If there are any close races and the machines have the problems they've had in the past, regrettably the answer will be probably not.

PHILLIPS: Bob Franken, we'll be watching.

Thanks -- Don.

LEMON: Kyra and Bob, not much sleep around here anywhere.

It's far from Florida, but the congressional page scandal could cause an upset in a New York race.

You are in a special Election Day edition of the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Here's a question for you. Will it be the tipping point for Democrats in Congress, or will the GOP hang on? Voters are deciding right now. Probably no mystery how the president and the first lady voted.

CNN's Kathleen Koch is at the White House for us -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Don, his name is certainly not on the ballot, but I think it's a pretty safe bet that the president supported the Republican candidates in his district this morning.

He and the first lady, Laura Bush, rose very early this morning and headed to the polling place at a Crawford, Texas, fire station, making them one of the first to cast their ballots this morning. Obviously a lot riding on the results today. Not only control of Congress, but President Bush's ability to accomplish the remainder of his agenda in the final two years of his presidency.

Though he has been on the road campaigning virtually nonstop for the last 10 days, hitting 15 rallies in 12 states, after he voted this morning the president was decidedly nonpartisan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Laura and I know it's a privilege to be able to cast our votes. And I encourage all Americans to vote today.

We live in a free society. And our government is only as good as the willingness of our people to participate in it. And therefore, no matter what your party affiliation, or if you don't have a party affiliation, do your duty. Cast your ballot and let your voice be heard.

And so, we thank you for -- we thank you for being a good citizen. It's good to be here voting in Texas. We are going to be heading back up to Washington here pretty soon and watch the -- watch the results.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: Now, as we speak, President Bush is on board Air Force One, now headed back to Washington, D.C., from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. And as you heard, he will be monitoring election returns from the White House -- Don.

LEMON: And Kathleen Koch, it must be pretty quiet around the White House, because for the past week or so, the president and the first lady have been out on the campaign trail.

KOCH: As has the vice president, as a matter of fact. He has been out doing a bit of campaigning, although the last couple of days he's taken somewhat of a break right now and he is in South Dakota, where he is on a hunting trip. The vice president headed to South Dakota yesterday. He voted early in Wyoming, so he has already cast his ballot.

This is his first hunting trip since that mishap back in February when he accidentally shot his friend Harry Whittington on that -- again, that trip in Texas. No reports though of any mishaps on this trip.

LEMON: Yes. Let's hope this one all works out OK.

Kathleen Koch at the White House.

Thank you so much.

KOCH: You bet.

PHILLIPS: Connecticut's Senate battle has to be the political oddity of this election. Joe Lieberman, half of the 2000 Democratic presidential ticket, now snubbed by the party with relative newcomer Ned Lamont. So Lieberman declares his independence.

CNN's Dan Lothian reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Joe Lieberman may be the odds-on favorite running as an Independent, but he's still sprinting to the finish line.

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: I don't want my supporters to think that this is over and going to stay home or decide they want to throw a vote to somebody else for some symbolic reason. LOTHIAN: Meeting with workers at a utility company, Lieberman painted his Democratic opponent, Ned Lamont, as a one-issue candidate and a partisan polarizer.

LIEBERMAN: That does get in the way of us getting something done for you, the people.

NED LAMONT (D), SENATE CANDIDATE: I'll remember each and every one of you guys.

LOTHIAN: Lamont, a wealthy businessman who beat Lieberman in the August Democratic primary, put in the final miles of his campaign bus tour, trying to convince voters he's the right candidate for real change.

LAMONT: Look at the crowds that are coming out. People fundamentally want a real change in how we're doing business in Washington.

LOTHIAN: Speaking to union workers, Lamont returned to the central theme of his campaign, the war in Iraq.

LAMONT: This war is wrong, it's hurting our country at home. It's hurting our country abroad. It's time to bring our troops home.

LOTHIAN: The Republican in the Senate race, Alan Schlesinger, has not been a big factor. That, say political analysts, has helped Lieberman, who's attracting support from Republicans.

PROF. KEN DAUTRICH, UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT: He's identified as a Democrat, but an Independent Democrat. And so his voice rises above partisan politics.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: So Dan Lothian, now that Lieberman is running as an Independent, who will his allegiance be to?

LOTHIAN: He says he will still be a Democrat. He does plan to work with Democrats and said no hard feelings there.

But what he pointed out is that this campaign has really taught him that he must indeed be an independent thinker. He says he will go along with Democrats, but also expects to be embraced by Republicans -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, we'll talk more about the Lieberman factor with our pundits throughout the day.

Thanks, Dan -- Tony.

HARRIS: Great expectations in the balance of power. There is a lot at stake today.

Amy Walter keeps track of politics for the nonpartisan "Cook Political Report," and she joins us from New York. Amy, good to see you, as always.

AMY WALTER, "COOK POLITICAL REPORT": Thanks, Tony.

HARRIS: Hey, Amy, let's start with voter turnout. Going over all the material that you go over at the "Cook Political Report," which group will have a strong showing today?

WALTER: Well, you know, the polls have shown us for some time now that there's been a disproportional enthusiasm gap here with Democrats more enthusiastic to come out and vote than Republicans. Now the real issue, though, especially in some of these very tight races, where, you have evenly divided districts between Democrats and Republicans, is where do Independents go, right?

HARRIS: Yes.

WALTER: These are the folks who in 2004, they divided their votes pretty evenly between Senator Kerry and President Bush. This year, they are decidedly against Republicans, breaking almost two to one in many polls.

How many of these Independent voters turn out is going to tell us what kind of night Republicans and Democrats are going to have at the polls.

HARRIS: Got you. And Amy, that leads me to my next question about the expectations gained. If Democrats see modest gains, needing 15 to win the House -- say they get 18, 20 -- is that a failure?

WALTER: Well, I mean, I think that what Democrats have tried to do -- and this is from the very beginning -- is to keep expectations down. But you know Washington is not a town that likes to keep their expectations in check. And the expectations game has been raised and the stakes have been raised considerably.

So, look, the bottom line is, you want to be in charge. You need 15 seats to be in charge. That is the goal.

However, I think that if Democrats were expecting to see, you know, big, big gains, you are going to find Republicans coming out the next day and trying to make something of it. But as we all know, in the House all it takes is one more seat than the other side and you have got control of everything.

HARRIS: Yes. Amy, early indicator races that you'll be watching throughout the course of the day and this evening?

WALTER: Well, in the Senate, it's going to be a little bit harder because as all of your packages have pointed out today, there are just so many races where it's so very close.

HARRIS: So tight, yes.

WALTER: Yes. So we are going to look to Missouri as the bellwether. I think that's going to tell us a lot about which party will control the Senate.

But I really doubt we're going to have those election results in very early even though it's a Midwestern state. The polls close a little bit earlier than out here.

HARRIS: Yes. I've got a question about the Tennessee race, Ford and Corker race.

Ford may lose this race. We don't know. The results will come in and that'll be determined. But, has he through his campaign laid out a bit of a blueprint for Democrats running in the South who want to be competitive?

WALTER: Well, you know, that's a great point. And what we've seen -- and we've seen this in congressional districts around the country, too -- the Democratic candidates who do well are those candidates who are able to separate themselves from some of the platform pieces of the national Democratic Party. Especially in some of the cultural, social issues.

This is also the case in North Carolina, where Heath Shuler, former quarterback for the Washington Redskins is running and hoping to win a seat. So, here you have in Tennessee, a Democrat who doesn't take some of the typical, what we would think of Democratic positions. Trying to position himself more to the center. And there are a lot of Democrats including Howard Dean, the chairman of the DNC who says, you know what, we have to stop conceding these red states if we are going to be a national party.

HARRIS: That was always a tough race for a Democrat to win, though.

WALTER: Well, you know, it's a Southern state. Not only is it a southern state, it's gotten redder, but we have not seen an African- American elected to the Senate from the South since Reconstruction, so yes, it is, historically it would be very, very significant.

HARRIS: Amy Walter, thanks for your time. Appreciate it.

WALTER: Thanks. Bye.

COLLINS: New York's 26th House District. Here's where the Mark Foley factor could loom larger than any local issue for Empire State voters. CNN's Deborah Feyerick explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK, (voice over): To understand the political face of upstate New York, you have to understand the importance of Republican Tom Reynolds. He has spent his entire adult life in politics. The last eight years as a U.S. congressman. But now the man recently touted as a possible House speaker is fighting for his political life against political novice, millionaire industrialist Jack Davis.

Why the turn? The congressional page scandal is partly to blame.

REP. TOM REYNOLDS, (R) NEW YORK: Looking back, more should have been done.

FEYERICK: Reynolds heads the National Republican Congressional Committee and admitted he knew last spring about inappropriate messages sent to pages from Republican Congressman Mark Foley. Reynolds tried to deflect criticism, passing the buck to Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

REYNOLDS: We have been taught that if you see a circumstance that isn't right, take it to your supervisor.

FEYERICK: After that, his chief of staff, a former Foley staffer, resigned. Whatever the fall-out from the scandal, Davis is hoping his views on the economy and keeping jobs in the beleaguered New York region will end the Reynolds tenure.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: And Deb Feyerick joining us now live from Buffalo. Deb, it looks like you might be able to see those voting machines behind you. How are people doing with those?

FEYERICK (on-camera): They are doing very well. People who are coming in here really seem to know their decision, who they are voting for. They are not spending a lot of time in the voting booth. There are sheets all over this part of St. Paul's Church. People are able to look and see what the ballot looks like even before they get in, so once they are in, they are really not wasting a lot of time. We do want to tell you this is a race in which the Buffalo News, the main paper here, did not even endorse either one of the candidates. Not the Republican incumbent Tom Reynolds or the Democratic challenger Jack Davis. So again, voters are also having a time thinking about the issues, deciding who they are voting for, who they want in power and who they want out.

COLLINS: All right, Deb Feyerick. Thanks so much. it looks like from Amherst, New York instead of Buffalo. Thanks so much for that.

HARRIS: Problems at the polls. Our Ali Velshi is here to give us an update. Keep us up to speed on what we know. It's Election Day and you are in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: All right, so the biggest faux pas so far this Election Day has got to be here in South Carolina with Governor Mark Sanford. A poll manager in Sanford's home precinct would not allow Sanford to cast his ballot earlier this morning because the gov apparently forgot his voter registration card. Sanford's campaign says the governor is getting a new card -- he's going to vote later.

HARRIS: And right out of the gates, some voting problems being reported this Election Day. CNN's Ali Velshi keeping tabs on precincts around the country. He joins us from New York. And Ali last time we spoke, we were talking about the South Carolina situation, but also some issues in Indiana.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and where you stand on the matter depends on whether you think as Heidi said, might be a voting faux pas, some would say that was good, what happened in South Carolina was good voter identification. Others are saying well, listen, if you can establish who the person is, we have a situation in Cincinnati, same thing. A Congressman going to vote and the person at the polls said I know who you are, but I need a certain type of identification. Arizona, they want things that have your address on them. Somebody with a U.S. passport went to vote and was turned away. Really today, the problems fall into two categories, Tony -- one is voter identification. The other one is voting machines. And Indiana is a story of the voting machines.

In Delaware County near Muncie, Indiana, they had a pretty significant delay this morning getting started. Over two hours in some cases. About 70 to 75 precincts were down. The Delaware County clerks office says it's the fault of the company that provided the voting machines. Anyway, as a result of that, they are extending their voting by court order until 8:45. That is the only precinct in the country. The only county in the country so far where we know that there will be delayed voting. But we are having numerous examples of ID issues and voting machine issues. And we would like our viewers to continue to send information to us at CNN.com through IReport. If you have photographs or video or instances. We are looking into everything everybody sends us. We are confirming everything independently, but we don't know unless people tell us what their problems are. There are issues going on, Tony.

HARRIS: Great that you are keeping an eye on it for us. Ali, thank you.

VELSHI: OK.

HARRIS: Still to come, pregnant pigs at the polls. Yes, I said it. Believe it or not, this is a decision voters are making today. This Election Day. You are in the NEWSROOM.

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DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: From English as the official language to pregnant pigs. These may sound odd, but they're on the minds of voters in some states. You're on a special election edition of the CNN NEWSROOM.

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LEMON: In Illinois, the home state of beleaguered House Speaker Dennis Hastert, there's a lot of attention on the house race between Republican Peter Roskam and Democrat Tammy Duckworth, who's an Iraq vet.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim reports.

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KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Sometimes she walks with artificial limbs; other times rolls in on a wheelchair. Wherever she goes, Tammy Duckworth reminds voters she paid a price in Iraq.

TAMMY DUCKWORTH, (D-IL) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: I just have to thank God for the second chance have been given.

OPPENHEIM: Two years ago this month, Duckworth, a major in the Army National Guard, lost her legs when a grenade struck her helicopter. At first, her bid as a Democrat to win the seat held for 32 years by Republican Congressman Henry Hyde seemed like a long shot.

After all, her opponent, Peter Roskam, a state senator with far more political experience, has been pushing conservative themes in the district that leans right.

PETER ROSKAM (R-IL), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: People understand that our security is at stake.

OPPENHEIM: But Duckworth's background has given her ammunition.

DUCKWORTH: He is so lacking, in his own voice, he actually accused me of being someone who would be a cut and run Democrat.

OPPENHEIM: Because she's a disabled veteran, she's getting international attention.

PHILIP REAY-SMITH, ITN: Because it seems to crystallize the whole Iraq issue.

OPPENHEIM: Still, all politics is local. Roskam has portrayed Duckworth as an outsider.

ROSKAM: You know the people in Washington, D.C., who cooked up my opponent's candidacy --

OPPENHEIM: Recruited by national Democrats to run. Bottom line, a district once safely Republican has become too close to call.

PROF. PAUL GREEN, ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY: It's going to be -- as we used to say in the old days in Chicago -- a precinct captain's race. In other words, which of those two candidates, and their organization, can bring their voters to the polls on election day?

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LEMON: And Keith Oppenheim joins us from Chicago.

Keith, "cut and run," apparently that phrase has been causing some controversy in this particular campaign, hasn't it?

OPPENHEIM: Yes, and I believe that Peter Roskam, Don, made that remark in much more of a generic sense about Democrats. But still, as you heard in that piece, Tammy Duckworth just pounced it. But keep in mind -- and pardon the train sound as it goes by here -- that, for the most part, Peter Roskam has been trying to talk about Iraq. He said he's been trying to keep the race local and to keep the issues local. But, Don, all Tammy Duckworth has to do is to come into a room and the issue of Iraq is, in a sense, there for everyone to see. So how voters in this district feel about Iraq could be decisive in what happens in this district today.

LEMON: Reporter: yes, we shall certainly see in just a little while. Thank you very much. Keith Oppenheim reporting from Chicago -- Heidi.

COLLINS: We've talk about some of the Senate races, we've talked about some of the House races, and we've certainly talked issues, like Iraq and the economy, but there's more.

Let's bring go ahead and bring in Lou Jacobsen. He's the deputy editor of "Roll Call." We're going to be looking at some of the initiatives voters in some states we'll also be deciding on today.

Thanks for being with us here, Lou.

I want to go ahead and begin with minimum wage. We're talking about increases on the ballot in six different states now. How do you think this is going to go?

LOU JACOBSON, DEPUTY EDITOR, "ROLL CALL": Well, these should all win fairly easy by the polling so far. It was definitely a strategic issue by folks on the left side of the spectrum to push for some sort of ballot initiative that would balance out same-sex marriage ballot initiatives, which were so successful in 2004, and which there are about eight on the ballot this year. And we don't know yet whether it is going to be driving turnout, but it's certainly, in terms of a policy perspective, will probably be very successful. Most of these are ahead in the polls fairly easily.

COLLINS: Yes, it sounds great. I mean, everybody wants to make more money, but I know it's more complicated than that.

How about this next one, English as an official language. They're talking about this in the state of Arizona.

JACOBSON: Sure, there's actually several things on the Arizona ballot which are generally immigration related. This is one of those. It's actually a topic which has come up a number of times in previous campaign cycles and has sort of a mixed record; I think probably has passed more than it's failed. But actually as a general rule this year, there's relatively little concerning the issue of immigration on the ballot. It has certainly been a driver of Congress and the presidency in terms of policy issues this year, but it really hasn't become a big issue in terms of ballot initiatives.

COLLINS: All right, and we have to move on to my favorite. Really, honestly it means a lot to some people in the area that they'll be voting on it. This is really hasn't We have to move onto my favorite. It really honestly means a lot to some in the area that they'll be voting on it. This is a pregnant pigs. Can you please explain?

JACOBSON: Yes, it certainly means a lot to the pigs as well.

COLLINS: Yes.

JACOBSON: This is really something that is a long-term battle between animal welfare groups on the one side and farmers and hunters on the other side, depending on the issue. The folks who are in favor of giving better conditions to farm animals and animals who are hunted have been very successful over the past decade in terms of ballot initiatives. They haven't won everything, but they've fought very hard and it's probably been their single best avenue for actually influencing policy.

COLLINS: Real quickly, tell me what is that one about, though, pregnant pigs?

JACOBSON: It would basically require that pigs have more space when they're raised. Also I think for veal as well.

Currently, critics say that there is too little space. It's inhumane. And this would basically allow more living space. It is opposed by farmers who actually own these pigs, because it would be more expensive and make things certainly make things more difficult for their business operations.

COLLINS: All right. Well, we are looking at all of these issues here in the CNN NEWSROOM, our special election coverage. And we appreciate your insight on this one.

JACOBSON: Thank you. All right, Lou Jacobson, thanks again.

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HARRIS: All right Rob, thank you. The vice president going hunting today, but not for votes.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would have no problem going hunting with Dick Cheney. Anybody could make a mistake in a hunting accident.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh god, no.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, because I think he's not a straight shooter.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a ridiculous question, first of all. And he's ridiculous.

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HARRIS: Harmless fun or cheap shots? A closer look in the NEWSROOM.

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PHILLIPS: While you are voting, he'll be up in arms. Vice President Dick Cheney back on the hunt today. That's got a lot of people talking as you can imagine. Our Jeanne Moos is all ears.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If it's humor you're hunting, Dick Cheney just gave comedians plenty of ammo.

(on camera): Dick Cheney, they announced today that Dick Cheney was going to spend Election Day hunting for the first time since...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, no.

MOOS (voice-over): Yes, for the first time since the vice president accidentally shot his friend in the face, he's scheduled to go hunting.

(on camera): So the question is, would you go hunting with Dick Cheney?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I would send Rumsfeld.

MOOS (voice-over): Actually, the vice president is going to be accompanied by his daughter Mary and his political director.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would have no problem going hunting with Dick Cheney. Anybody could make a mistake in a hunting accident.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, God, no.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, because I think he's not a straight shooter.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a ridiculous question first of all, and he's ridiculous.

MOOS: The image of Dick Cheney out hunting on Election Day is sure to reopen old wounds, the kind comedians like to rub salt in.

ROB CORDDRY, COMEDY CENTRAL: To not have shot his friend in the face would have sent a message to the quail that America is weak.

MOOS: Nothing, not even the White House Easter Bunny, was sacred. At least the vice president won't be hunting bunnies on a private ranch in South Dakota.

The news comes as journalists gear up for Election Day.

(on camera): So, Wolf, would you go hunting with Dick Cheney?

(voice-over): Given all the jokes, we wondered what the strategy behind such an Election Day hunting trip might be.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Real guy, red meat, NRA.

MOOS: But the vice president's hunting mishap is also red meat for those with enough time on their hands to alter a quail hunting scene from the movie "Wedding Crashers." UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's something not right about these guys.

MOOS: Adding the vice president's head. The real movie...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't do anything crazy.

MOOS: The remake.

Will the vice president's Election Day hunting trip be a political shot in the arm, or will he be shooting himself in the foot?

(on camera): The question is, would you go hunting with Dick Cheney?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm hunting for Dick Cheney.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

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HARRIS: See, now that's just wrong. Stay with CNN for unmatched coverage of the elections. Primetime begins at 7:00 Eastern. Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn, Lou Dobbs, lead the best political team on television as your votes are counted. Then a special two-hour late-night edition of "LARRY KING LIVE" that begins at midnight in the east, 9:00 p.m. in the west. Trust CNN for the races, the results, and the ramifications, let's not forget.

LEMON: Those guys in New York, L.A., but we are here in Atlanta. And we want to thank you for joining us on this special Election Day edition of the CNN NEWSROOM. For Tony Harris down there, Heidi Collins right here, and my partner in crime Kyra Phillips, I'm Don Lemon. Make sure you stay tuned, CNN NEWSROOM right back after a short break.

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