Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Voters across the U.S. endured long lines as they crowded into polling places to cast ballots in an election many called historic. Few were complaining.

From suburban Atlanta to Northern Virginia to Detroit, polls opened early this morning, and voters faced long waits to participate in the presidential contest between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.

``I've been doing this for about 20 years, and I've never seen a crowd like this,'' said Maureen Diaz, a Democratic precinct captain at Enterprise Elementary School in Prince William County, Virginia. ``It's exciting.''

The last of the pre-election polls released yesterday all showed Obama leading, even as McCain closed the gap in several states. Obama led by an average of 7 percentage points in a dozen polls that concluded on Nov. 2.

McCain was behind in surveys nationally and either trailed or was in a close fight in a dozen states won by President George W. Bush in the last election.

Gloria Monroe, 72, said she felt like crying when she saw the ballot with a fellow African-American in the presidential slot. ``I got a little teary-eyed,'' she said. ``For this day to come is something I'll never forget.''

This year ``you should be ashamed if you don't vote,'' said Lashawne Jenkins, 4O, who voted in Detroit. Jenkins, an African- American catering manager, said she didn't vote in the last presidential election, but this year ``we're voting in a historic time.''

At her polling place, the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the line was 100 deep before the polls even opened.

Wall Street

On Wall Street, voters queued around the block, with some facing lines of 30 minutes or more.

``Today's one of the most important days in our history because a black man is this close to winning,'' said Mike Mangula, 32, who said he is half African-American and half- Italian. ``The world is watching this election.''

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg waited in line for 45 minutes to vote at Public School 6 in Manhattan, the New York Times reported. The mayor is founder and owner of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.

Northern Virginia

In Northern Virginia, voters began lining up at Agudas Achim synagogue in Alexandria an hour before the polls opened at 6 a.m. The line was 400 deep to start, and the wait was about 90 minutes. Two hours later there was still a 45-minute wait.

``This is by far the most important election I've ever voted in,'' said Brad McAdam, 35, of Alexandria and an Obama supporter. ``The lines show that everybody thinks that.''

In Vienna, Virginia, Hal Corby, a retired registered Republican, cast his ballot for McCain, saying he saw no reason to change the state's traditional voting pattern.

``I don't trust the other guy,'' said Corby, 69.

Voting totals are likely to exceed previous averages, poll workers said.

In Upper Darby Township near Philadelphia, Republican committeeman Glenn Hafner said he expects voter turnout to be more than 80 percent.

``We're looking for over 400 voters,'' Hafner said. ``Usually in presidential years it's been between 55 and 280.''

The long lines are worth the wait, voters said.

``You can feel something in the air,'' said Vincent Meara, a 65-year-old retiree, who voted in Blauvelt, Rockland County, New York. ``There's an excitement I sense, no matter who you're for.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Drajem in Washington at mdrajem@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 4, 2008 16:08 EST