CUMBERLAND CO.-- There's just a few short hours before the polls close in this historic election and people across the country are turning out in record numbers to cast their votes.

Well it's a big day in New Jersey and across the nation as voters line up to make sure there voice is heard in this historic election. "There's history being made here today," said Nancy Sungenis, Commissioner of Registration for the Cumberland County Board of Elections.

For this election, voters in New Jersey have broken records. "It's new, it's different, and people are excited about voting."

The Secretary of State says there are 5.4 million registered voters and they believe voter turnout could exceed 80 percent.

So, extra staff is on hand in all 21 counties, including here in Cumberland County. "We're a small county compared to others, we have 90 thousand voters."

But even in this small county, there were early reports of long lines at the polls like they've never seen before. "Last Presidential of course was Kerry and Bush and it was normal regular presidential election, wasn't people standing in lines like we're having today."

The Cumberland County Board of Elections has more than 500 poll workers and 6 tally teams systematically counting the record number of absentee ballots that have come in. "Record numbers...we have close to 4 thousand absentees."

And they will keep counting long after the polls close. "Tonight at 8 when usually we're finished tallying, they'll probably get another couple hundred ballots."

Officials say it's all because people are passionate about this election and looking for something new.

"We need a change in our country," said one voter from Fairfield Township.

"The country has embraced diversity...finally...it's historical in itself," said another voter.

"Because our economy is so bad in our country, our deficit is so high that we need to do something about it and in order to do something about it we have to come out and vote."

Well, If you haven't already, bring patience when you come out to vote, State Election Officials expect long lines until the polls close at 8 p.m.