North Carolina is one of a handful of so-called battleground states the nation is watching closely today.

Not since before 1976, has the state has chosen a Democrat for President. But polls show Barack Obama with strong support from North Carolina.

"I think it's kind of exciting that North Carolina, our vote really counts," says voter Marge Godfrey. Sometimes you feel like it doesn't, but it does. So vote!"

Godfrey waited about 30 minutes to vote at her Charlotte polling place this morning. Around the city, lines to vote are common, though not as long as they were during the early voting. Nearly half of the registered voters in Mecklenburg County cast a ballot prior to Election Day.

North Carolina polls close tonight at 7:30 p.m.

In South Carolina, voting ends at 7 p.m.