Although many were changing to the Democratic Party, Matt Gonzalez of Meadville switched from Independent to Republican. “I changed to Republican to vote for Ron Paul in the primary,” he said of the other GOP candidate on the ballot. “I agree with his idea of following the law,” referring to Paul’s platform of the country following the Constitution more. Gonzalez didn’t want until the last minute to change, but was there to “get information for volunteers for the Ron Paul campaign,” he said.

However, Garrett Kimple, 18, of Linesville was registering for the first time and is supporting Obama. His father waited in the hall for his son to return from the Office of Voter Services. “He feels he can make a difference,” said the older Kimple of why his son chose Obama.

When 4:25 rolled around, the last person to turn in a voter registration card was John Wells of Vernon Township, who was changing from Republican to Democrat. “That noise you hear in Michigan is the earthquake from my father turning over in his grave,” he laughed.

Asked why he waited so long, Wells said, “Because I was baby-sitting. I had to wait until their mother came home.”

Why did he change registration? “So I can vote against Obama. I will change back,” he said about returning to the Republican side.

Chatley said as busy as the workers were Monday and as much work as they will have to complete the applications, she knows there will be more work after the election.

“All the work will be after the election when they will be changing back,” she sighed.

Jane Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at jsmith@meadvilletribune.com.