Voters flock to polls to help make history, headlines

— -- Rain and sleet didn't stop voters in Chicago. They lined up at schools, fire stations and senior citizen centers to be part of Tuesday's historic, coast-to-coast presidential primaries and caucuses.

"What happens today will affect my life, everybody's life," said first-time voter Anthony Sorce, 18, a college freshman. "This is huge."

Turnout was high almost everywhere. "We had a very busy crowd first thing this morning … and the crowds have been steady since," poll inspector R.K. Arceneaux said in Millbrook, Ala.

In Atlanta, voters weighed the war in Iraq against the economy, health care and the chance to elect the first woman or the first African-American president. Carol Binns, 63, a medical editor, voted for Hillary Rodham Clinton because she hopes the New York senator will "bring the troops home."

Retired landscaper George Richardson, 78, voted for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. "I wanted the chance to help make history," he said.

In Long Beach, Calif., change was on voters' minds. In the New York City area, they were searching for a strong leader as they marked the Giants' Super Bowl win with a parade.

Somerset County, N.J., Clerk Brett Radi said Giants fans could "probably fit in both" events.

Everywhere, there was a sense that momentous decisions were being made, one vote at a time. "We're all making headlines today," said Gene Radcliff, 21, a computer technician in Chicago.