SOUTH BEND — It was another busy day for absentee voting in South Bend. The St. Joseph County clerk reports 7,500 people have voted at the County-City building. That's more than some general election totals.

"It's a big election. This one could change a lot so I wanted to make a difference," said first time voter Tyler Rouse.

Rouse said the voting process was a little confusing at first and he quickly learned you need to come to the voting booth prepared.

"I didn't know much about every single candidate so I think next year I'm gonna do my homework on everybody," Rouse said.

Election workers are reporting high numbers of first time voters.

"We went to the sample, looked at it and it was very easy," said 17-year-old Marcus Wofford.

Teenagers are getting encouragement at home, school and church to take advantage of their right to vote. St. Joseph County Clerk Rita Glenn says 17-year-olds can vote in the primary if they will be 18 by the general election date in November.

"Our church was putting together an Obama rally so some of us came out here to vote," said 17-year-old Lebbaeus Davidson.

A lot of young people are not only voting for the first time they're also signing up to be a part of the process by working at polling sites Election Day.

"I'm a sheriff so my job is to make sure nothing gets out of hand and just keep the order," said 18-year-old Jamil Fatti.

The lines got so long, the noise level got a little too high on Saturday.

So keeping everyone in order could be a big job Election Day with so many people anxiously waiting to cast their vote in what has become a critical decision in Campaign '08.

"This is my first time voting and I think it's just, I'm just glad that I've had the opportunity," said 17-year-old Michael Collins.

"I feel good, I feel older, more mature," said Davidson.

"We're letting people know that Indiana is out there doing our job, we're out there getting the vote out," said St. Joseph County Clerk Rita Glenn.

In St. Joseph County, you can vote early at the County-City building in South Bend or the County Services Building in Mishawaka between 8 a.m. and noon on Monday. You must bring along a state issued photo ID.