(41 P tc4t an 4,3at l TORD.% .e M Ann Arbor Michigan Tuesday, November 6, 2012 michigandaily.com Now, the voters decide Ohio a focus as campaigns blitz swing states By RAYZA GOLDSMITH Daily News Editor COLUMBUS, Ohio - After weeks filled of grueling campaign stops and rallies across the nation, it's no surprise that the race for the White House culmi- nated in Ohio, a state that has proven to be a critical battleground state in recent political history. Ohio and its 18 electoral votes has been the source of increased speculation over the course of the campaign, and many believe the race will be decided in Ohio. As polls narrow across the state, the presidential candidates and their surrogates have made numerous trips to Ohio, and on Monday both campaigns held events here in Columbus, in the hopes of wining over the state. With the help of Jay-Z and Bruce Springsteen, Obama reminded the nearly 15,500-person crowd at Nation- wide Arena of the importance of voting on Election Day in securing a victory in the state, and thus, the country. Later in the day, Romney appeared with The Marshall Tucker Band before a crowd of about 10,000 at the Port Columbus International Airport to warn attendees of the consequences of four more years under the Obama administration. Ohio carries significance not only given that the country remains largely unsure of which candidate will win the state on Tuesday, but also because it has historically been a standard bearer of success for Republican presidential nominees. No Republican candidate has won without Ohio, and the winning can- didate has taken the state in every elec- tion since 1964. The Romney and Obama campaigns each used high-profile performers to campaign in key battleground states in order to increase the enthusiasm. But beyond the glitz and the glamour, the stars had a message to convey to their audiences. "American dream and American reality, our vote tomorrow is the one undeniable way we get to determine the distance in that equation," Springsteen told the crowd. "Tomorrow we get a per- sonal hand in shaping the kind of Ameri- ca we want our kids to grow up in." Springsteen's message is consistent with both campaign strategies in the final days, which is to get out the vote, whatever it takes. However, this was somewhat of a. moot point in Ohio on Monday, at least for those who turned out for Obama's . event. Early voting began more than a week before Election Day in Ohio, and nearly 1.6 million peo- ple have already cast their ballot. When Jay-Z asked the crowd to scream if they had already voted, he was received by a robust response, and the See OHIO, Page 2 Top Jay-Z, President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen campaign at a rally in Columbus Ohio on Monday. More than 15,000 people attended. Bottom Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romey also campaigned in Ohio Monday as part of a final sweep through four swing states ELECTION 2012 Polling places closely watched Election monitors in ,place to ensure fair voting practices By ALICIA ADAM4CZYK Daily Staf Reporter Students votingTuesday may notice increased numbers of election moni- tors at polling stations around campus as part of an effort to combat voter intimidation. Many organizations are worried the emphasis placed on preventing voter fraud in this year's election will increase the likelihood of voter intimi- dation practices. Conservative, liberal- leaning and independent groups are dispatching lawyers and law students. to monitor polling places across the country to assuage this fear and to See POLLING, Page 6 GOP makes final case to Michigan U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow at an Election Day Eve rally in Weill Hall on Monday night. Confident Dems By ANDREW SCHULMAN Daily StaffReporter JACKSON, Mich. - Jo Ankney hoisted up her sign, adorned with a map of a red-colored Michigan with the words "The Mitten for the Mitt" into the air repeatedly at an outdoor rally here Monday night, the last stop on the Michigan Republican Party's "Believe in Michigan - Jobs First" bus tour. Braving temperatures below 40 degrees outside the GOP's campaign office for Republican presidential nom- inee Mitt Romney, she was there not only to back Romney's candidacy but to champion his vision for the coun- try. Ankney said she wanted voters to know that what worked for the state could work for the nation, a prominent See GOP, Page 6 rally on By KATIE BURKE and SAM GRINGLAS Daily StaffReporters Though the air was chilly as stu- dents gathered outside Weill Hall on Election Day Eve, the crowd was fired up as the maize and blue tour bus of Mark Bernstein, a Democratic can- didate for the University's Board of Regents, pulled up on Hill Street full of campus Michigan Democratic candidates. The University's chapter of College Democrats hosted a-rally on Monday night to promote the state's Demo- cratic candidates, including U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Rep. JohnDing- ell, and Michigan Supreme Court can- didates Bridget.Mary McCormack and Connie Kelley. The candidates, accompanied by a See DEMS, Page 6 WEATHER HI: 48 TOMORROW L LO 32 GOT A NEWS TIP? NEW ON MICHIGANDAILY.COM Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail #michlinks news@michigandaily.com and letus know. 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