New York: Scattered voting problems, including machine glitches and long lines, were reported early in some states in the biggest Super Tuesday of presidential primaries ever held in America. But overall, voting appeared to go smoothly. A record turnout was expected as an unprecedented 24 states held primaries and caucuses to narrow the field for the Democratic and Republican nominees for president.

Eight precincts in Chicago had minor problems and a ninth was expected to stay open for several extra hours after misplaced voting equipment caused a nearly two-hour delay in opening the polls.

At a Chicago hot dog joint doubling as a polling place, a technical glitch left only one touch-screen machine in use, making the line to vote much longer than the queue at U Lucky Dawg s counter.

In Georgia, where voters are now required to present photo identification, wait times in some areas were as long as 90 minutes because for the first time in a major election, poll workers had to compare IDs against computerized registration records.

A spokeswoman for Democratic hopeful Barack Obama said the campaign was asking Georgia officials to keep at least one Atlanta precinct open late because it did not open on time. Heavy turnout and sporadic computer problems may prompt additional requests for extended poll hours, said Obama spokeswoman Adora Andy.

"That (comparison) process with the computer terminals is very slow and that can create some long lines," said Clare Schexnyder of Election Protection, a national election monitoring group.

Source : PTI