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Voters Head to Polls; GOP Raises Questions Over Philly Polling Place; Supreme Court OK's Voter Challengers; Doctors Speculate Rehnquist Has Deadly Form of Thyroid Cancer
Aired November 02, 2004 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Democracy in full force. Live pictures now as the voting begins across the country now. When will the counting end?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Elaine Quijano, live at the White House. President Bush is headed back here to Washington after a whirlwind campaign. Soon, the waiting game will begin. I'll have more on the president's day coming up.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Frank Buckley. Senator Kerry, about to prepare -- about to cast his own ballot. He is still campaigning today. We'll tell you what he's been saying.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Also this hour, we're going to make you the smartest person ever on presidential trivia. We're going to throw the book at you, or at least some facts, from our presidential election research editorial guide.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Miles O'Brien.
PHILLIPS: Leave it to Miles, always in the books. And I'm Kyra Phillips. CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now.
O'BRIEN: For John Kerry, it all ends here. Or it all begins here. It's a Massachusetts tarmac, home turf, native soil. The Democratic presidential candidate is expected to cast his ballot for himself any minute now.
George W. Bush voted early this morning at a fire house in Crawford, Texas, but the real story, at long last -- and we mean long, long, long last -- is the 100 million-plus other votes that are being cast from Maine to Maui, Walla Walla to West Palm Beach.
Already, we've had lawsuits and court rulings and threats of more lawsuits. And at least one election day evacuation to tell you about. A polling place in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was shut down for two hours today when a suspicion white powder turned up on the floor.
Folk in the white suits came in, ascertained the substance was salt. Perhaps a little superstition. Voting resumed shortly thereafter.
PHILLIPS: With 21 electoral votes hanging in the balance, lawyers have long been poised to pounce in Pennsylvania. Before noon today, the state GOP was considering filing an election day lawsuit. CNN's Jason Carroll joins us again from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, with details on what may just be the first of today's election day dustups.
Hi, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello to you, Kyra.
Well, I can tell you, at least, some good news first. Things here in Lehigh County running pretty much as they should. Things are happening here and moving along.
But there is a situation in Philadelphia that we want to tell you about, specifically, North Philadelphia. Some GOP observers are claiming that an electronic voting machine there was not calibrated properly. It apparently had 400 votes on it that they claim was recorded from its last use.
GOP observers found it before the polls opened there. But Philadelphia city commissioner, a Democrat, says those allegations are unsubstantiated. There are reports those GOP observers could have misread that dial on that electronic machine. This could all be just some sort of a big misunderstanding.
The government -- the governor has assured -- assured the city that the allegations are, indeed, false.
Now, back here to Lehigh -- Lehigh County, where there is far, far less drama here. Things are running much better. Hundreds lined up early this morning to cast their votes here.
This is a very -- people here are very interested in what's going on. Things here are very tight. During the last presidential race, the margin of distance between Gore and Bush was only 1,100 votes. That's why many times people focus on Lehigh County, to see how they're going to be casting their votes.
Again, this time around things are running along pretty smoothly, but not for everyone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What was frustrating to me is they're having a hard time getting through to the offices to verify who I am and where I live. So I picked up my cell phone, and I started calling those same numbers. And between all of us dialing -- there were three or four of us in there dialing -- I was finally able to get through and ask the questions I needed to ask.
And that was very frustrating for me, because I was waiting in line for over an hour to get in. And then once I got in, I was waiting in line in there. And then of course it was very, very frustrating.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: So frustrating for that one voter there.
They are expecting record turnout throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Also expecting poll watchers and attorneys to be on- site, keeping an eye on everything -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Jason Carroll, live from Lehigh. Thank you so much -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Well, before the polls even opened this morning, the Supreme Court weighed in on a legal challenge out of Ohio. The decision cleared the way for monitors, ready to pounce on any suspicious votes.
CNN's Adaora Udoji is in Canton, Ohio, on a very busy day in the Buckeye State.
Any indications of trouble there, Adaora?
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not so far, Miles. As you said, there has been a flurry of legal activity. But the polls opened at 6:30 this morning. We're across the street from one where voters have been coming in. A real constant stream of folks since 6:30 this morning.
And of course, we're almost halfway through the day. And there's also -- this morning, there was some clarity for poll workers, after one court decision after another. And essentially it only stopped after the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in to the case.
And what they did is they let stand a lower court ruling, which was upholding challengers in Ohio polling places. Democrats had challenged them, saying that they were concerned that Republicans were trying to enforce intimidation tactics.
Republicans deny that. And they say that their concern is about voter fraud.
And a lower court agreed with the Democrats. And another court took the Republican side. And the U.S. Supreme Court said that's what's going to stand.
So bottom line, today, right now, across the state of Ohio, there are challengers. Both the Democratic and Republican challengers in 88 counties, we believe, although we've gotten no confirmation on that.
And at this point, we've heard no problems with those challengers. In fact, we talked to a Democratic spokesman in Ohio, who said we haven't even heard of any challenges being made.
And earlier on "AMERICAN MORNING," Governor Taft said he believed the Supreme Court made the right decision.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BOB TAFT (R), OHIO: We're just trying to uphold Ohio law. It's the Democrats who have repeatedly gone into federal court to challenge long-standing Ohio law, intended to uphold the accuracy and the integrity of our elections.
I think the concern is, everyone should vote. Absolutely. Very important civil right. And we're working to assure that right. At the same time, nobody particularly wants their vote to be canceled out by a voter who is not properly register to vote where they're voting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UDOJI: Still, Miles, there are hundreds of lawyers on each side ready to pounce, as you say, should there be any signs of trouble.
But regardless of all this legal mayhem, as you see, people have been lining up, we're told. From Columbus to Cleveland, the lines have been...
O'BRIEN: All right, Adaora, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but we've got live pictures coming in. This is Beacon Hill, the state house for the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
And there you see Senator Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, as they go in to vote. We're told that after they do their voting -- his daughter's with them -- after they do they voting, they will come out -- of course, she already voted, I should point out. Thank you very much. That's a very good point. She voted in Pennsylvania.
After he votes -- and presumably his daughters vote, they will come out. And there will be a live statement from the candidate. And we plan to bring that to you live.
Now our apologies to Adaora. We're sorry we interrupted her.
But watch the returns at CNN tonight. Our special election coverage begins at 7 Eastern, live from New York. That's about five hours and 51 minutes and 120 seconds from now.
Trust CNN to track the votes, the exit polls, the swing states, any voting irregularities or legal challenges. Wolf is the man, Wolf Blitzer, and CNN's full election team kick off primetime coverage tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern from the huge NASDAQ screens -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, George W. Bush is making his way back to Washington for the first time in days. He and the first lady began their day in Texas and squeezed in one last visit to a battleground before heading home.
CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the White House -- Elaine.
QUIJANO: Hello to you, Kyra.
That's right. President Bush is on his way back here to Washington. But not before he made that one final campaign stop in the battleground state of Ohio.
Just a short time ago, the president, along with first lady Laura Bush, boarded Air Force One. And at that stop at Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Bush took the opportunity to thank workers and volunteers at the state headquarters for the Bush/Cheney campaign.
Now, aides are feeling very confident about the president's chances in that state, which has 20 electoral votes up for grabs. And here is what the president said to campaign workers in Columbus just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am going to run this race out to its fullest. I will be able to -- both of us will be able to say that we campaigned as hard as we possibly could. I have made the differences as clear as possible, about -- about why I think I am the best leader for the country for the next four years.
And you know, we'll find out tonight what the American people think. And I'm looking forward to it. Thank you, all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, earlier, Mr. Bush did cast his own ballot. And that was at a firehouse near his ranch in Crawford, Texas. The president spent the night in Crawford after a marathon day of campaigning yesterday, a tour that took him through six states in about 16 hours.
And in Wyoming, the president's running mate, Vice President Dick Cheney, also voted, along with the vice president's wife there, Lynn. They were joined by some of their grandchildren.
But the vice president also getting in one more trip to a battleground state today, Wisconsin, before returning here to Washington.
Now, as for the president's itinerary, he was scheduled to do several interviews with local Florida stations, while en route here to Washington, while on board Air Force Once. We just learned that technical problems have canceled those interviews.
In any case, the White House spokesman says the president will be watching the election results from the residence here at the White House. Joining him, Kyra, we are told, family members, as well as several staff members -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Elaine Quijano, thanks so much -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Well, Boston takes a back seat to no place when it comes to political tradition. And thus, we anticipate an election day ritual by the Democratic candidate for president, a vote at the Massachusetts state house. He's doing that right now. Followed by a seafood lunch at the oldest, continuously operated restaurant in America.
CNN's Frank Buckley has been at the Union Oyster House, sampling chowders all day. It's a little too thick for my tastes there, Frank. I'm kind of a big fan of the no name. You ought to try that out while you're there. BUCKLEY: I'm a Legal Seafood guy myself.
O'BRIEN: Legal's good.
BUCKLEY: I'm a Legal guy. But I have to be honest. I haven't been to the place that Senator Kerry is going to, the Ye Olde Union Oyster House. It's a tradition for Kerry on election day to go there. I'm told that he either sits at the oyster bar or he'll sit up in the JFK booth upstairs and have a half dozen little-neck clams and a cup of chowder.
Senator Kerry is here in Massachusetts. He's expected to deliver -- or he's hoping to deliver a victory speech here at the end of the day, here in Copley Square.
He arrived here in Massachusetts at the Hanscom Air Force base, touching down in the noon hour. When he landed, he literally touched the ground himself.
And it looks like we're seeing live pictures now of the senator emerging from the state house where he has just voted. He -- I'm pretty sure that he voted for himself and for his running mate, Senator John Edwards.
Following his vote, we -- he is expected to go to the traditional election day lunch, as we said. And then later, as one adviser put it, he'll be in the chair, doing a number of satellite television interviews with local TV stations in battleground states.
Now, earlier today, he started his day in Wisconsin, in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, Senator Kerry stopping to encourage supporters. This is a state where you can register and vote on the same day. And so the Senator trying to encourage that sort of activity, of course.
But in a sign of how tight this race is, even on a traditionally quiet election day, Kerry was still campaigning this morning, delivering part of his stump speech as he met with his supporters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is a choice. You've got to look people in the eye today and just say, you know, do you like piling deficits on our kids? Do you want -- do you want Social Security at risk because he wants to privatize it so that his friends in the finance community get $940 billion worth of commissions and you put Social Security at risk for Americans?
Not on my watch. We're not privatizing Social Security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: Now, Senator Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, has already voted today. She voted this morning in Pennsylvania. Aides telling us that yes, she voted for Senator Kerry, just outside -- in the Pittsburgh area where she's got a farm. And as you corrected, I don't want to be the first person to jump the gun here today. Senator Kerry, the pictures we just told you were live pictures of him emerging after he voted, apparently those are pictures of him going in, as he was preparing to vote. So we don't know that he's voted for himself yet, but we can presume that that's what he's going to be doing.
He is voting at this hour. We can tell you that with some -- it can be pretty definitive about that Miles. The senator is voting right now, here in Boston. And shortly, he'll be sitting down to that lunch -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: All right, Frank Buckley, way out on a limb there, on that projection. Kerry voting for Kerry. Thank you very much. Check in with you in just a little bit -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Other news across America now.
Special election edition. With miles to go before we sleep, we can tell you that it's all over in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, all 26 ballots were cast shortly after midnight. George Bush took 19 votes to John Kerry's 7, leaving Ralph Nader with bupkis.
Well, speaking of getting an early start, this couple in Fulton County, Georgia, took note of massive early voting crowds and decided they were having none of that. One air mattress and a few pillows later, they secured the first place in line. Looks pretty comfy. There's no law in Georgia against voting with bed head -- yet.
And in the nation's 49th state, people are being asked to cast a vote for Mary Jane. Not the person, not the shoes. We're talking grass, weed, pot, wacky tobacky. Alaska's ballot measure attempts to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older. Those backing the drive have spent more than $800,000, making this much more than just a toking gesture.
O'BRIEN: Can't touch that one.
PHILLIPS: Sorry.
O'BRIEN: Not going there. Not going to go there.
All right. Another issue that might get voters to the polls today, and that's a very serious issue. The make up of the Supreme Court, especially with new developments in the health of the chief justice, William Rehnquist. We'll have that story ahead on LIVE FROM.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Gary Tuchman in West Palm Beach, Florida. Republican and Democratic operatives say business is brisk at the polls throughout the state. There are thousands of lawyers from each party here in Florida, waiting for work to do. We'll see if they have it. That story coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: In Des Moines, Iowa, Move On told to move on. The Linn County auditor says she's had to call the cops at a number of precincts. Allegedly, members of the moveon.org organization were electioneering within the 300-foot limit imposed by the law.
And Iowa's not the only place in contention, of course. The Bush/Cheney filed off an e-mail charging that volunteers for moveon.org were intimidating voters and violating election law in several states -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Colorado has traditionally gone to the Republicans in presidential elections, but this year, the winner of the state's nine electoral votes is anyone's guess.
Joining us from Aurora, Colorado, once again, CNN's Thelma Gutierrez. Actually, live from a mosque.
Hi, Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Kyra.
Well, it has been a busy morning for not only us, but also all the volunteers who are working here at this mosque. So far, an estimated 500 people have already cast their ballots.
Now, as many as 3,000 people are expected to show up some time today.
This was the first time that a Colorado mosque has become a polling site in a presidential election. Churches and synagogues have been used before. So the Colorado Muslim Society decided that it was time to open up their doors, as well.
Polls are showing that Coloradans are leaning towards George Bush. Traditionally, Muslims have voted Republican. But this year, they say, may be different. Several Muslim organizations have endorsed John Kerry.
Now, 30 percent of the state has already voted. The state is reporting that more than 500,000 people have cast their votes via absentee ballots. Another 375,000 actually voted early, ten days early, here in Colorado.
Now election officials say they have never seen anything like this before.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody wants their say, and everybody realizes that it's important. Especially important this year, with all the races being so close.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think this is a very important election. Mainly the security of the nation at this point.
(END VIDEO CLIP) GUTIERREZ: The other race that's going on here is a very, very tight Senate race, which could tip the balance of power in the Senate.
On one hand, you have Pete Coors, who is a multimillionaire, also chairman of the Coors Brewing Company, who is actually vying against attorney general Ken Salazar, who comes from one of the poorest counties here in Colorado.
So everyone's keeping an eye on that race, as well. And that is perhaps what is driving so many people out to these polling sites here in Colorado -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Thelma, thanks so much -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: All right. The returns are in. The CNN Weather Department is the best. Jacqui Jeras, you've got our vote. Tell us where -- I'm sorry, you know what Jacqui, stand by.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: OK.
O'BRIEN: John Kerry, Boston, Beacon Hill, coming out of the state house. Teresa Heinz Kerry with him. He just voted. She voted in Pennsylvania, because that's her official domicile.
Off they go, away from the reporters. We were expecting a live statement. Not sure if he's headed to that location right this moment. Anticipating a little guidance in my ear as we watch them walk off hand in hand.
His daughters, behind him, waving to reporters there, in home turf, not far from his home on Beacon Hill.
Let's bring in Jacqui Jeras, while we try to get our satellites and circuits together. It looks like it's that other location there where he is talking to reporters. We'll try to bring that to you.
So Jacqui, be on standby. I might have to interrupt you.
JERAS: OK. That's fine.
O'BRIEN: In the meantime, it looks a little gray in Boston.
JERAS: yes.
O'BRIEN: But probably not -- in Boston, what the heck, that's not an impediment to voting. Are there places, though, where we're concerned about turnout because of the weather?
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: All right. Did you already vote?
JERAS: I haven't. I'm going to have to go after this.
O'BRIEN: Expect a line, be ready.
JERAS: Yes, I know.
O'BRIEN: Yes. You have to work on the sitting arrangements or just, you know. Maybe it will be a little lesson for the kids, you know. That kind of thing.
JERAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Jacqui Jeras, thank you very much -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: While most of the attention is focused on the presidential race today, there are new concerns about the health of the nation's chief justice.
William Rehnquist announced yesterday that he was undergoing both chemotherapy and radiation for thyroid cancer and would delay a planned return to the Supreme Court. Now medical experts are ultimately speculating that he may have a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer.
CNN's Elizabeth Cohen join us with more information on what this means. This will play by play (ph).
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, most of the time, thyroid cancer is easily treatable. It's really not as big of a deal as some other cancers.
But unfortunately, there is one -- very rare, but very deadly -- form of thyroid cancer. It's called anaplastic thyroid cancer. And as Kyra mentioned, doctors are now openly speculating as to whether or not Chief Justice Rehnquist has that type of cancer.
And the reason is that he has now said in a statement that he is having chemotherapy and radiation. That is a treatment that is done for that anaplastic, for that rare and deadly form of cancer. It is not usually done for the other, less threatening types of cancer.
And that has many people concerned. Also concerned because last week he said that he had had a tracheotomy. Again, not something that is usually done when someone has thyroid cancer.
So a lot of concerns today. Also, he said he would be back on the bench yesterday, and he wasn't able. He couldn't. It was too optimistic of an estimate. So there are concerns out there.
PHILLIPS: Considering his age, too, I guess.
COHEN: Right, 80 years old. Harder to fight cancer the older you get.
PHILLIPS: Absolutely, especially with that chemo. What about the health of the other Supreme Court justices?
COHEN: Right. He would -- there have been many other Supreme Court justices who have had cancer. For example, there are -- four out of the nine have had a cancer diagnosis at some point. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988. As far as we know, she has not had any recurrence in the past 16 years.
Justice Stevens diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992. And Justice Ginsburg had colon cancer in 1999. All three of them, we have not heard of any additional diagnoses since the original cancer diagnoses, so all of them seem to be doing pretty well.
PHILLIPS: All right. We'll definitely follow Justice Rehnquist. Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.
COHEN: Thanks.
PHILLIPS: Much more after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired November 2, 2004 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Democracy in full force. Live pictures now as the voting begins across the country now. When will the counting end?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Elaine Quijano, live at the White House. President Bush is headed back here to Washington after a whirlwind campaign. Soon, the waiting game will begin. I'll have more on the president's day coming up.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Frank Buckley. Senator Kerry, about to prepare -- about to cast his own ballot. He is still campaigning today. We'll tell you what he's been saying.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Also this hour, we're going to make you the smartest person ever on presidential trivia. We're going to throw the book at you, or at least some facts, from our presidential election research editorial guide.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Miles O'Brien.
PHILLIPS: Leave it to Miles, always in the books. And I'm Kyra Phillips. CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now.
O'BRIEN: For John Kerry, it all ends here. Or it all begins here. It's a Massachusetts tarmac, home turf, native soil. The Democratic presidential candidate is expected to cast his ballot for himself any minute now.
George W. Bush voted early this morning at a fire house in Crawford, Texas, but the real story, at long last -- and we mean long, long, long last -- is the 100 million-plus other votes that are being cast from Maine to Maui, Walla Walla to West Palm Beach.
Already, we've had lawsuits and court rulings and threats of more lawsuits. And at least one election day evacuation to tell you about. A polling place in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was shut down for two hours today when a suspicion white powder turned up on the floor.
Folk in the white suits came in, ascertained the substance was salt. Perhaps a little superstition. Voting resumed shortly thereafter.
PHILLIPS: With 21 electoral votes hanging in the balance, lawyers have long been poised to pounce in Pennsylvania. Before noon today, the state GOP was considering filing an election day lawsuit. CNN's Jason Carroll joins us again from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, with details on what may just be the first of today's election day dustups.
Hi, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello to you, Kyra.
Well, I can tell you, at least, some good news first. Things here in Lehigh County running pretty much as they should. Things are happening here and moving along.
But there is a situation in Philadelphia that we want to tell you about, specifically, North Philadelphia. Some GOP observers are claiming that an electronic voting machine there was not calibrated properly. It apparently had 400 votes on it that they claim was recorded from its last use.
GOP observers found it before the polls opened there. But Philadelphia city commissioner, a Democrat, says those allegations are unsubstantiated. There are reports those GOP observers could have misread that dial on that electronic machine. This could all be just some sort of a big misunderstanding.
The government -- the governor has assured -- assured the city that the allegations are, indeed, false.
Now, back here to Lehigh -- Lehigh County, where there is far, far less drama here. Things are running much better. Hundreds lined up early this morning to cast their votes here.
This is a very -- people here are very interested in what's going on. Things here are very tight. During the last presidential race, the margin of distance between Gore and Bush was only 1,100 votes. That's why many times people focus on Lehigh County, to see how they're going to be casting their votes.
Again, this time around things are running along pretty smoothly, but not for everyone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What was frustrating to me is they're having a hard time getting through to the offices to verify who I am and where I live. So I picked up my cell phone, and I started calling those same numbers. And between all of us dialing -- there were three or four of us in there dialing -- I was finally able to get through and ask the questions I needed to ask.
And that was very frustrating for me, because I was waiting in line for over an hour to get in. And then once I got in, I was waiting in line in there. And then of course it was very, very frustrating.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: So frustrating for that one voter there.
They are expecting record turnout throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Also expecting poll watchers and attorneys to be on- site, keeping an eye on everything -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Jason Carroll, live from Lehigh. Thank you so much -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Well, before the polls even opened this morning, the Supreme Court weighed in on a legal challenge out of Ohio. The decision cleared the way for monitors, ready to pounce on any suspicious votes.
CNN's Adaora Udoji is in Canton, Ohio, on a very busy day in the Buckeye State.
Any indications of trouble there, Adaora?
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not so far, Miles. As you said, there has been a flurry of legal activity. But the polls opened at 6:30 this morning. We're across the street from one where voters have been coming in. A real constant stream of folks since 6:30 this morning.
And of course, we're almost halfway through the day. And there's also -- this morning, there was some clarity for poll workers, after one court decision after another. And essentially it only stopped after the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in to the case.
And what they did is they let stand a lower court ruling, which was upholding challengers in Ohio polling places. Democrats had challenged them, saying that they were concerned that Republicans were trying to enforce intimidation tactics.
Republicans deny that. And they say that their concern is about voter fraud.
And a lower court agreed with the Democrats. And another court took the Republican side. And the U.S. Supreme Court said that's what's going to stand.
So bottom line, today, right now, across the state of Ohio, there are challengers. Both the Democratic and Republican challengers in 88 counties, we believe, although we've gotten no confirmation on that.
And at this point, we've heard no problems with those challengers. In fact, we talked to a Democratic spokesman in Ohio, who said we haven't even heard of any challenges being made.
And earlier on "AMERICAN MORNING," Governor Taft said he believed the Supreme Court made the right decision.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BOB TAFT (R), OHIO: We're just trying to uphold Ohio law. It's the Democrats who have repeatedly gone into federal court to challenge long-standing Ohio law, intended to uphold the accuracy and the integrity of our elections.
I think the concern is, everyone should vote. Absolutely. Very important civil right. And we're working to assure that right. At the same time, nobody particularly wants their vote to be canceled out by a voter who is not properly register to vote where they're voting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UDOJI: Still, Miles, there are hundreds of lawyers on each side ready to pounce, as you say, should there be any signs of trouble.
But regardless of all this legal mayhem, as you see, people have been lining up, we're told. From Columbus to Cleveland, the lines have been...
O'BRIEN: All right, Adaora, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but we've got live pictures coming in. This is Beacon Hill, the state house for the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
And there you see Senator Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, as they go in to vote. We're told that after they do their voting -- his daughter's with them -- after they do they voting, they will come out -- of course, she already voted, I should point out. Thank you very much. That's a very good point. She voted in Pennsylvania.
After he votes -- and presumably his daughters vote, they will come out. And there will be a live statement from the candidate. And we plan to bring that to you live.
Now our apologies to Adaora. We're sorry we interrupted her.
But watch the returns at CNN tonight. Our special election coverage begins at 7 Eastern, live from New York. That's about five hours and 51 minutes and 120 seconds from now.
Trust CNN to track the votes, the exit polls, the swing states, any voting irregularities or legal challenges. Wolf is the man, Wolf Blitzer, and CNN's full election team kick off primetime coverage tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern from the huge NASDAQ screens -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, George W. Bush is making his way back to Washington for the first time in days. He and the first lady began their day in Texas and squeezed in one last visit to a battleground before heading home.
CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the White House -- Elaine.
QUIJANO: Hello to you, Kyra.
That's right. President Bush is on his way back here to Washington. But not before he made that one final campaign stop in the battleground state of Ohio.
Just a short time ago, the president, along with first lady Laura Bush, boarded Air Force One. And at that stop at Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Bush took the opportunity to thank workers and volunteers at the state headquarters for the Bush/Cheney campaign.
Now, aides are feeling very confident about the president's chances in that state, which has 20 electoral votes up for grabs. And here is what the president said to campaign workers in Columbus just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am going to run this race out to its fullest. I will be able to -- both of us will be able to say that we campaigned as hard as we possibly could. I have made the differences as clear as possible, about -- about why I think I am the best leader for the country for the next four years.
And you know, we'll find out tonight what the American people think. And I'm looking forward to it. Thank you, all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, earlier, Mr. Bush did cast his own ballot. And that was at a firehouse near his ranch in Crawford, Texas. The president spent the night in Crawford after a marathon day of campaigning yesterday, a tour that took him through six states in about 16 hours.
And in Wyoming, the president's running mate, Vice President Dick Cheney, also voted, along with the vice president's wife there, Lynn. They were joined by some of their grandchildren.
But the vice president also getting in one more trip to a battleground state today, Wisconsin, before returning here to Washington.
Now, as for the president's itinerary, he was scheduled to do several interviews with local Florida stations, while en route here to Washington, while on board Air Force Once. We just learned that technical problems have canceled those interviews.
In any case, the White House spokesman says the president will be watching the election results from the residence here at the White House. Joining him, Kyra, we are told, family members, as well as several staff members -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Elaine Quijano, thanks so much -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Well, Boston takes a back seat to no place when it comes to political tradition. And thus, we anticipate an election day ritual by the Democratic candidate for president, a vote at the Massachusetts state house. He's doing that right now. Followed by a seafood lunch at the oldest, continuously operated restaurant in America.
CNN's Frank Buckley has been at the Union Oyster House, sampling chowders all day. It's a little too thick for my tastes there, Frank. I'm kind of a big fan of the no name. You ought to try that out while you're there. BUCKLEY: I'm a Legal Seafood guy myself.
O'BRIEN: Legal's good.
BUCKLEY: I'm a Legal guy. But I have to be honest. I haven't been to the place that Senator Kerry is going to, the Ye Olde Union Oyster House. It's a tradition for Kerry on election day to go there. I'm told that he either sits at the oyster bar or he'll sit up in the JFK booth upstairs and have a half dozen little-neck clams and a cup of chowder.
Senator Kerry is here in Massachusetts. He's expected to deliver -- or he's hoping to deliver a victory speech here at the end of the day, here in Copley Square.
He arrived here in Massachusetts at the Hanscom Air Force base, touching down in the noon hour. When he landed, he literally touched the ground himself.
And it looks like we're seeing live pictures now of the senator emerging from the state house where he has just voted. He -- I'm pretty sure that he voted for himself and for his running mate, Senator John Edwards.
Following his vote, we -- he is expected to go to the traditional election day lunch, as we said. And then later, as one adviser put it, he'll be in the chair, doing a number of satellite television interviews with local TV stations in battleground states.
Now, earlier today, he started his day in Wisconsin, in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, Senator Kerry stopping to encourage supporters. This is a state where you can register and vote on the same day. And so the Senator trying to encourage that sort of activity, of course.
But in a sign of how tight this race is, even on a traditionally quiet election day, Kerry was still campaigning this morning, delivering part of his stump speech as he met with his supporters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is a choice. You've got to look people in the eye today and just say, you know, do you like piling deficits on our kids? Do you want -- do you want Social Security at risk because he wants to privatize it so that his friends in the finance community get $940 billion worth of commissions and you put Social Security at risk for Americans?
Not on my watch. We're not privatizing Social Security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: Now, Senator Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, has already voted today. She voted this morning in Pennsylvania. Aides telling us that yes, she voted for Senator Kerry, just outside -- in the Pittsburgh area where she's got a farm. And as you corrected, I don't want to be the first person to jump the gun here today. Senator Kerry, the pictures we just told you were live pictures of him emerging after he voted, apparently those are pictures of him going in, as he was preparing to vote. So we don't know that he's voted for himself yet, but we can presume that that's what he's going to be doing.
He is voting at this hour. We can tell you that with some -- it can be pretty definitive about that Miles. The senator is voting right now, here in Boston. And shortly, he'll be sitting down to that lunch -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: All right, Frank Buckley, way out on a limb there, on that projection. Kerry voting for Kerry. Thank you very much. Check in with you in just a little bit -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Other news across America now.
Special election edition. With miles to go before we sleep, we can tell you that it's all over in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, all 26 ballots were cast shortly after midnight. George Bush took 19 votes to John Kerry's 7, leaving Ralph Nader with bupkis.
Well, speaking of getting an early start, this couple in Fulton County, Georgia, took note of massive early voting crowds and decided they were having none of that. One air mattress and a few pillows later, they secured the first place in line. Looks pretty comfy. There's no law in Georgia against voting with bed head -- yet.
And in the nation's 49th state, people are being asked to cast a vote for Mary Jane. Not the person, not the shoes. We're talking grass, weed, pot, wacky tobacky. Alaska's ballot measure attempts to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older. Those backing the drive have spent more than $800,000, making this much more than just a toking gesture.
O'BRIEN: Can't touch that one.
PHILLIPS: Sorry.
O'BRIEN: Not going there. Not going to go there.
All right. Another issue that might get voters to the polls today, and that's a very serious issue. The make up of the Supreme Court, especially with new developments in the health of the chief justice, William Rehnquist. We'll have that story ahead on LIVE FROM.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Gary Tuchman in West Palm Beach, Florida. Republican and Democratic operatives say business is brisk at the polls throughout the state. There are thousands of lawyers from each party here in Florida, waiting for work to do. We'll see if they have it. That story coming up.
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O'BRIEN: In Des Moines, Iowa, Move On told to move on. The Linn County auditor says she's had to call the cops at a number of precincts. Allegedly, members of the moveon.org organization were electioneering within the 300-foot limit imposed by the law.
And Iowa's not the only place in contention, of course. The Bush/Cheney filed off an e-mail charging that volunteers for moveon.org were intimidating voters and violating election law in several states -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Colorado has traditionally gone to the Republicans in presidential elections, but this year, the winner of the state's nine electoral votes is anyone's guess.
Joining us from Aurora, Colorado, once again, CNN's Thelma Gutierrez. Actually, live from a mosque.
Hi, Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Kyra.
Well, it has been a busy morning for not only us, but also all the volunteers who are working here at this mosque. So far, an estimated 500 people have already cast their ballots.
Now, as many as 3,000 people are expected to show up some time today.
This was the first time that a Colorado mosque has become a polling site in a presidential election. Churches and synagogues have been used before. So the Colorado Muslim Society decided that it was time to open up their doors, as well.
Polls are showing that Coloradans are leaning towards George Bush. Traditionally, Muslims have voted Republican. But this year, they say, may be different. Several Muslim organizations have endorsed John Kerry.
Now, 30 percent of the state has already voted. The state is reporting that more than 500,000 people have cast their votes via absentee ballots. Another 375,000 actually voted early, ten days early, here in Colorado.
Now election officials say they have never seen anything like this before.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody wants their say, and everybody realizes that it's important. Especially important this year, with all the races being so close.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think this is a very important election. Mainly the security of the nation at this point.
(END VIDEO CLIP) GUTIERREZ: The other race that's going on here is a very, very tight Senate race, which could tip the balance of power in the Senate.
On one hand, you have Pete Coors, who is a multimillionaire, also chairman of the Coors Brewing Company, who is actually vying against attorney general Ken Salazar, who comes from one of the poorest counties here in Colorado.
So everyone's keeping an eye on that race, as well. And that is perhaps what is driving so many people out to these polling sites here in Colorado -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Thelma, thanks so much -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: All right. The returns are in. The CNN Weather Department is the best. Jacqui Jeras, you've got our vote. Tell us where -- I'm sorry, you know what Jacqui, stand by.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: OK.
O'BRIEN: John Kerry, Boston, Beacon Hill, coming out of the state house. Teresa Heinz Kerry with him. He just voted. She voted in Pennsylvania, because that's her official domicile.
Off they go, away from the reporters. We were expecting a live statement. Not sure if he's headed to that location right this moment. Anticipating a little guidance in my ear as we watch them walk off hand in hand.
His daughters, behind him, waving to reporters there, in home turf, not far from his home on Beacon Hill.
Let's bring in Jacqui Jeras, while we try to get our satellites and circuits together. It looks like it's that other location there where he is talking to reporters. We'll try to bring that to you.
So Jacqui, be on standby. I might have to interrupt you.
JERAS: OK. That's fine.
O'BRIEN: In the meantime, it looks a little gray in Boston.
JERAS: yes.
O'BRIEN: But probably not -- in Boston, what the heck, that's not an impediment to voting. Are there places, though, where we're concerned about turnout because of the weather?
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: All right. Did you already vote?
JERAS: I haven't. I'm going to have to go after this.
O'BRIEN: Expect a line, be ready.
JERAS: Yes, I know.
O'BRIEN: Yes. You have to work on the sitting arrangements or just, you know. Maybe it will be a little lesson for the kids, you know. That kind of thing.
JERAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Jacqui Jeras, thank you very much -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: While most of the attention is focused on the presidential race today, there are new concerns about the health of the nation's chief justice.
William Rehnquist announced yesterday that he was undergoing both chemotherapy and radiation for thyroid cancer and would delay a planned return to the Supreme Court. Now medical experts are ultimately speculating that he may have a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer.
CNN's Elizabeth Cohen join us with more information on what this means. This will play by play (ph).
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, most of the time, thyroid cancer is easily treatable. It's really not as big of a deal as some other cancers.
But unfortunately, there is one -- very rare, but very deadly -- form of thyroid cancer. It's called anaplastic thyroid cancer. And as Kyra mentioned, doctors are now openly speculating as to whether or not Chief Justice Rehnquist has that type of cancer.
And the reason is that he has now said in a statement that he is having chemotherapy and radiation. That is a treatment that is done for that anaplastic, for that rare and deadly form of cancer. It is not usually done for the other, less threatening types of cancer.
And that has many people concerned. Also concerned because last week he said that he had had a tracheotomy. Again, not something that is usually done when someone has thyroid cancer.
So a lot of concerns today. Also, he said he would be back on the bench yesterday, and he wasn't able. He couldn't. It was too optimistic of an estimate. So there are concerns out there.
PHILLIPS: Considering his age, too, I guess.
COHEN: Right, 80 years old. Harder to fight cancer the older you get.
PHILLIPS: Absolutely, especially with that chemo. What about the health of the other Supreme Court justices?
COHEN: Right. He would -- there have been many other Supreme Court justices who have had cancer. For example, there are -- four out of the nine have had a cancer diagnosis at some point. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988. As far as we know, she has not had any recurrence in the past 16 years.
Justice Stevens diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992. And Justice Ginsburg had colon cancer in 1999. All three of them, we have not heard of any additional diagnoses since the original cancer diagnoses, so all of them seem to be doing pretty well.
PHILLIPS: All right. We'll definitely follow Justice Rehnquist. Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.
COHEN: Thanks.
PHILLIPS: Much more after this.
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