CNN.com readers gear up for Super Tuesday

(CNN) -- Super Tuesday is the biggest prize on the primary calendar and presidential hopefuls, and their supporters, are making their final pitches before voters head to the polls.

CNN.com readers from Washington state to Georgia (and even one in Brazil) said they were excited to finally have their voices heard.

Some are still undecided, others have already voted, and some independent voters and readers whose states go to the polls after Super Tuesday said they felt left out of the process.

Here's a sample of readers' responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity:

Becky Shapley of Conway, Arkansas
I work ten-hour shifts Monday through Thursday so I went to my county courthouse Friday to cast my ballot. I was shocked by the number of people waiting to register at 11:00 a.m. on a Friday. Later, I took a friend who had flown in from the Philippines so he could vote and we had to stand in line for ten minutes. It really struck me what an exciting time it is right now for the country and it's future.

Rob Negrette of Chicago, Illinois
I'd really enjoy sitting on my couch all day watching CNN-HD in my underwear, drinking beer, and wearing my "Obama is #1" foam finger, but I have to work. Work ruins everything. At least I'll be home before the polls close.

Brenda Scott of Tucson, Arizona
I'm not really "hyped up" about Super Tuesday. Since I'm registered as an independent voter in the state of Arizona, I cannot vote in the primary. I am very proud of the great strides that Hillary Clinton has made since the start of this and I do believe that she'll win on the Democratic side. She's a strong woman.

Christopher Carlisle of Laurel, Mississippi
My wife bought me a six-pack of beer for our Super Tuesday marathon viewing. Does that make us geeks?

Darren Pearce of Issaquah, Washington
I have always had an interest in politics, but have never been tempted to participate beyond voting. Tonight, however, I am making phone-calls for Obama! Our last congressional vote sent a message that was ignored. ... Change must come from the bottom up.

Jerrell Earls of Jacksonville, Florida
I am registered as an Independent and so far neither party has shown me anything to deserve my vote. Democrats and their party of change is the same stuff they were selling in the last election (I admit it is in a slicker package). The Republicans still need a "reality check." Is it too late to ask the parties to "Try Again?"

Jon Brelie of Minneapolis, Minnesota
The air is absolutely electric in Minnesota right now. Two weeks ago, the local Air America affiliate, AM 950, held their annual Blue State Ball with speakers including Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, Keith Ellison, and R.T. Rybak. Along with several state and local candidates, they fired up a packed room of guests, who then stayed on to dance.

Unfortunately, I was taken with a bout of 6th-grade shyness and missed my opportunity to dance with Stephanie Miller. *Sigh* This past weekend, Barack Obama held a rally at the Target Center that sold out 20,000 seats in less than one day. The day of the rally, people started lining up 6 hours early and managed to create a line that was more than a mile long. The weather was gray and cold, but the people around me were all smiles and inspiration.

Catherine Iconis of Atlanta, Georgia
I'll be attending a result party at 5 Seasons Brewing Company near Perimeter in Atlanta. The Atlanta Young Republicans, Buckhead Young Republicans, DeKalb Young Republicans and Fulton County GOP will be in attendance.

Karen Shapiro of Cheshire, Connecticut
Just saw/heard Hillary at the Yale Child Study Center this morning. She was a half hour late, so had to rush inside, but gave a hearty wave and thank you to all her supporters waiting outside. She spoke very well about her experiences in the early '70s at Yale, and answered questions from struggling women of Connecticut, mostly about health care.

She speaks intelligently and clearly about her ideals and plans, but just doesn't have that dynamism that is attracting so many to Obama. I'm a big fan of hers and just hope she can get some dynamic speakers on her side (like Oprah) who can spice up her campaign!

Liliane Gacek of Sao Paulo, Brazil
I am living in Brazil!!! And for the first time Democrats Abroad can vote online!!! ... I will do that right now!!!! I was reading the last news about Senator Hillary and Obama in order to decide. ... It is so important that we have two great candidate.

Aaron Gaskins of Denver, Colorado
I for one am very excited. This will be just my second presidential election I have participated in, and my first caucus. I am also going to throw my hat into the ring and try to become a delegate as well. For as much damage as the current administration has done to this country, one victory Bush can claim is that he single handedly encouraged a passion for politics in my generation!

Gilbert Diaz of Austin, Texas
I'm very excited about "Super Tuesday," I believe this will be the deciding factor for each candidate. I will be sitting by the television talking with co-workers over the phone on the results.

Camron Earl of Eugene, Oregon:
Living in Oregon, I often have hard feelings on Super Tuesday. Our state is small, we don't hold a primary until later in the year, and by that time everybody has already made up their minds about who they will vote for.

Being a state that has so many of the problems that Democratic candidates speak about, I often feel as if there is a need for candidates to visit here too -- then they might not forget about us so easily after the election.

Amanda Edmonds of Portland, Texas
Super Tuesday is not an event in Texas, and I think this decreases the excitement felt in Texas towards the primaries. I am on the edge of my seat to see what happens in the other states, but I wish we could vote, too. It would make our votes feel more important!

Erich Westrich of Sioux City, Iowa
I have never been involved much in the political process. I would always vote in major elections, but I would only vote for third party candidates such as Ralph Nader. Now with the 2008 election looming I am extremely excited to be a Democrat supporting Obama. I like everything he says and I believe him when he speaks. I participated in the Iowa caucus and my wife and I are county delegates. I am looking forward to super Tuesday even more than the Super Bowl.

Dietra Carree of Atlanta, Georgia
Yes, I'm very excited to finally have the opportunity to vote. It's like we've been waiting our turn in line for weeks, and the time has now arrived for America to hear Georgia's voice!

Libby Efaw of Hamilton, New Jersey
You know, it's funny; politics is like my football, and right now we're in the playoffs, but if I didn't know any better, I'd think the only person running for a nomination was Sen. McCain. I live just outside of my state capitol, and a stone's throw from the Governor's mansion, yet Sen. McCain is the only one who has bothered to put up signs, send supporters door-to-door.

Granted, in the scheme of things, New Jersey is only a drop in the bucket, but as close as the Democratic race is, according to recent polls, one would think Clinton and Obama would be making an actual effort. But then again, New Jersey still has delegates, so perhaps that's why Clinton's not trying very hard.

Apathy is the largest killer of American democracy, and this election is the first in so very long that voter apathy is the most important to eradicate. Forget the economy, forget the war; our society will still crumble down around our ears if we don't wake up and pay attention to the first time in decades that our voices honestly and truly have a chance at being heard. Who speaks for you? Who is concerned with what matters to you?

Tom Muller of Flemington, New Jersey
This is only the second presidential race I am able to vote in, but I feel like this one is important and has a buzz around it. Americans, despite, political orientation seem ready for a change. Thankfully the Democrats have two strong, different, future-minded candidates running strong campaigns. It even feels like this time around the election won't hinge on one state, like Ohio in '04, but that even states like New Jersey and Connecticut are being paid attention too. E-mail to a friend

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