HIGHLAND, Ind. (AP) — Barack Obama, looking for a big victory nationwide, visited the Indiana Democratic stronghold of Lake County on Friday and urged supporters to ignore polls saying he is ahead and instead to work to ensure he wins.

"Remember, you can vote early here in Indiana," he said. "If you'll stand with me and fight by my side and cast your ballot for me, I promise you we won't just win Indiana, we will win the general election. And together, you and I will change this country and change this world."

Obama is seeking to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Indiana in 44 years. Recent polls have shown Obama and Republican John McCain in a dead heat for Indiana's 11 electoral votes.

Obama told the crowd, estimated at 40,000 by Highland police, that because of eight years of failed policies under President Bush, the road ahead would be challenging.

"It won't be easy, Indiana. It won't be quick. But you and I know we can do it. You know the time for change has come," he said. "Some of you may be cynical and fed up with politics, and you have every right to be. ... I ask you to believe not just in my ability to bring about change, but in yours."

Luke Messer, co-chairman of the McCain campaign in Indiana, said it was fitting that Obama visited Indiana on Halloween "because he masquerades as a moderate when in reality he is the most liberal presidential candidate in modern history."

Outside the rally there were a handful of protesters, most of them opposing Obama's support for abortion rights. One man held a sign "Change? Jesus the same yesterday, today, forever."

For Obama, it was a short trip from his home, where earlier in the evening he spent Halloween with his daughters, 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia.

"It's good to be so close to home," he said during 30-minute speech.

Cozette Pettigrew, a director for a speech language clinic in Highland, said she brought her 7-year-old daughter Mia to the rally because she wanted her to witness history.

"It's a memorable experience," she said. "I'm trying to help get out the vote, doing volunteer work and making phone calls. I'm very excited. We're so close. I hope we're going to put him over the top."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson sounded a similar theme speaking to the crowd.

"The race for governor of Indiana and even the race for president of the United States of America could hinge on Lake County, Indiana," she said. "What you're doing is so critical. So let's not leave anything to chance."

Lake County could be crucial in deciding who wins Indiana, said Robert Schmuhl, a political analyst and University of Notre Dame professor.

"Lake County is important because if the turnout is large enough it could have a dramatic effect on the final outcome. So much of it hangs on the level of turnout," he said. "If the Obama people are able to get out as many people as they would like, then it becomes important statewide."

Obama's appearance in Highland marked his eighth campaign visit in the state since mid-July. McCain will campaign in Indianapolis on Monday in his first visit to Indiana since a July 1 trip to speak at a national sheriffs convention.

Lake County already has been the focus of much attention this year as Democrats and Republicans fight over whether early voting centers should be allowed in the heavily Democratic cities of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago. The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday that early voting centers must remain open.

Democrats have accused Republicans of trying to suppress the vote, an argument that has taken on racial overtones in the state's second-most populous county and its most diverse at 26 percent black and 14 percent Hispanic.

Schmuhl said reports of heavy early voting could be indicative of how the election will go in Indiana.

"Indiana traditionally has been the first state to be called," he said. "It's almost been as regular as the sunrise that Indiana has been in the Republican column. I'm just wondering how long into the evening of Nov. 4 that Indiana gets called."