From Living in LoCo South Riding correspondent Val Cavalheri:

What is most striking when going from polling place to polling place in South Riding this afternoon was the lack of signs. Not that there weren’t any, but that there weren’t Republican candidates' signs among all the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton signs.

A steady stream of voters passed by me in all area precincts, and reports were that more people were asking for Democratic ballots. “Not surprising,” said Dulles District planning commissioner and Republican Barbara Munsey, “since McCain’s nomination is a foregone conclusion.” She then proceeded to surprise me by saying that her husband had voted for Obama. “Obama is a hypnotic speaker,” she agreed, "but I’m still waiting for the substance.”

Ernest Dixon disagrees. “I think Obama gives us the best of both Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy. But whatever happens, we have the opportunity to vote for either the first woman or the first minority for president.” Although Dixon has not always voted Democratic, he said he believes the “old school way of thinking is gone.”

Mary Krehbiel voted for Obama, believing in his ideas for change. “He will try to get us out of the situation we’re in.” She’s less concerned about his "lack of experience," believing instead "that he will put people in positions who will know what needs to be done” and said she is more “concerned if Hillary wins and we end up with another four years of Bill Clinton.”

Lori Shaw couldn’t disagree more. She voted for Hillary Clinton because “this is the only way to get Bill Clinton back in the White House.”

By contrast, I ran into a couple about to vote for Huckabee. When I identified myself as being associated with The Washington Post, he was quick to point out that they are only interested in the “liberal Post for the coupons on Sunday.” Whatever happens, they “just want the Clintons gone, gone, gone.” His wife told me that she doesn’t agree with the Democrats, nor will she vote for them, but she is “very excited about Obama,” seeing him as both “sincere and authentic.” They would not allow me to use their names.

Another Republican who would only speak if I withheld her name, said: "I would certainly align myself as a ‘social conservative’ and that poses issues for me with Senator McCain. However, I do not believe that it is right to simply stay home and not vote because McCain and I do not see eye-to-eye on every issue. It is time for Republicans to unite, back the clear candidate of the majority, and focus on keeping the White House in 2009. I am hoping that McCain will choose a social conservative like Huckabee as a running mate to help unite the party.”

Nearly all voters agreed on issues that concerned them, including the war in Iraq, the economy and foreign affairs. Dawn Marquez said “the only way to get to change the direction America is going is by getting out there and picking the candidate that might be able to make this happen.” Suzanne Rhodes agrees and will be voting for Obama this evening. “I used to be a Republican, but am leaning more toward the Democrats now,” she said. Deanna McFarland, a registered Republican, also voted on the Democratic ballot, but for a different reason: “I feel that nomination is strong, so I decided to use my vote to keep a candidate I don't want to get elected from being put on the Democratic ballot.”

Not everyone I came into contact with today voted. Ken Byrne won’t vote, “because I do not believe the primary/caucus method of determining the candidates is adequate. By the time we get to vote in a primary, many, if not all, candidates have either withdrawn or lost momentum to garner the nomination.”

Tamara Yaunches said she “felt indifferent to the process” and that she was “so sick of the political phone calls that have been coming in non-stop the last week or so.”

But most of the voters I spoke to were excited to cast their vote, agreeing with Sara Lichter that: “It was very important to participate in this monumental and historical presidential primary.”

As Loudoun County Public Schools called for schools to close one hour early, all eyes were on the weather and how that may affect the turnout.