With just hours to go before the polls open and with the race for president here in Ohio seemingly tied, volunteers for both campaigns are going all out to attract every vote they can.
Just south of downtown Columbus, the bush - Cheney Ohio campaign headquarters was buzzing.
Two rooms of volunteers scanned lists of registered voters, making phone call after phone call, urging people to vote for the president.
Many of the volunteers for both sides are campaign virgins, drawn by the closeness of the race, the importance of Ohio's 20 electoral votes. Both campaigns have attracted out of state volunteers. Karen Cacich drove 7 hours from her home in Illinois to work in Ohio for President Bush.
On the west side of Columbus, Kerry's Ohio campaign headquarters had the same level of organized chaos.
A group of volunteers fielded a constant stream of calls from voters looking to find their polling place and supporters offering campaign advice.
Hours before the polls opened. Volunteers held signs at the corner of broad and high.
At this time, only about a dozen Kerry supporters like Barb Fleeter were there.
She and her fellow sigh holders attracted some honks of support and some jeers of disdain.
Along side the Kerry supporters were backers of the Columbus zoo levy with some leashed wild cats. It seemed appropriate. This year's vote has taken on a zoo-like atmosphere with each candidate scratching and clawing for every vote.
