Voters in western Wake County turned out to show their primary colors Tuesday.

The main attraction for voters in both parties was an opportunity to express a presidential preference.

The Democratic primary, headed by presidential frontrunners Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, drew the most attention.

That race has drawn national attention because the race is late, close and undecided.

In a small, unscientific sample of voters who had completed their ballots, Obama drew the most support.

“I think he has the most new ideas,” said Rod Hughes-Oliver, 44, after casting his votes at the Herb Young Community Center in Cary. “I think he’ll take us in a better direction long term. I’m one who believes we need a significant change in how Washington works.”

James Robbins, 66, said he went for Clinton when he voted at Cary Fire Station No. 2.

“With Hillary, I think I know what we’re getting,” Robbins said. “Barack may be OK, [he’s] just too iffy for me.”

Barry Campbell, 38, of Cary said he liked Obama’s positions on the war and the economy.

“He’s going to try to change the world … make things better for everybody,” Campbell said.

“The country now is messed up.”

Republican voters backed John McCain, that party’s presumptive nominee. Despite McCain’s apparent status, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former United Nations Ambassador Alan Keyes and Texas Congressman Ron Paul are also on the ballot.

Eric Noble, 78, of Cary said “a lot of little things” compelled him to vote for McCain.

“It was the best choice,” Noble said.

Tracy Kimbro, 46, of Apex touted McCain’s military experience after she finished voting at Apex Baptist Church.

“I feel like McCain is as close to President George Bush as we have now,” Kimbro said.

According to the News & Observer, the stream of voters today suggests the state could see record-setting turnout for the most consequential North Carolina presidential primary in decades.

Based on the steady stream of voters that showed up at polls in the morning and afternoon, Democratic turnout should hit 45 percent or more, said Gary Bartlett, executive director of the state Board of Elections.

"I don't know if it will reach 50 percent," Bartlett said about 4:30 p.m. "It's too early to tell. We'll see what happens in the last three hours."

Republican turnout is likely to be in the range of 20 percent or so, he said.

In recent years, primary turnout has ranged from 16 percent to 31 percent, Bartlett said.

Though the presidential races were the main attraction Tuesday, numerous state executive and legislative races were also on the ballot.

Unaffiliated college freshman Caitlin Donovan took a Democratic ballot and and voted for Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue for governor at the Herb Young Community Center.

“I only voted for candidates I researched,” Donovan said.

“I tried to vote for people who were positive campaigners. … I voted for a lot of women but I voted for Obama instead of Hillary.”

Perdue also picked up Robbins’ support, “mainly because she was endorsed by the teachers. I figured they knew better.”

Bart O’Neal, 66, of Cary, said he voted for state Treasurer Richard Moore.

“I think Richard Moore has done an outstanding job with the state pension fund … and likewise I think he’ll do an outstanding job as governor,” O’Neal said.

On the Republican side, Sally Warner, 69, of Cary said she voted for Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory for governor when she cast her ballot at the fire station.

“I just think he’s the better qualified and he has experience,” Warner said.

Kimbro said she preferred state Sen. Fred Smith because “he is against abortion.”

Laura Suich, 50, of Apex, said she cast her vote for Salisbury attorney Bill Graham because of “what I’ve heard and read in the newspaper. I’ve done a lot of research on the Internet.”