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If you went to vote Thursday, you might have sweated in the sun, wondered at the slow-moving lines and blown your lunch hour — and possibly beyond.

But for the more than 1,500 voters who went out on the first day of Guilford County early voting, nearly doubling the 2004 total, none of that mattered.

Many said the wait was nothing compared to what voters of both parties described as a momentous election, with the economy faltering and troops stationed across the globe.

“The sun was burning, but the vote was going to be worth it in the end,” said Angelia Wilson, who waited more than an hour to vote at Washington Terrace Park in High Point.

Some voters waited so long — one hour, two hours, even three — that the thought of coming back another day at least crossed their mind.

Aria Bilal, waiting in High Point, said she got hungry in the nearly two hours she waited. But she didn’t think seriously about leaving.

“It’s really important. It’s my first time voting, so it’s a big deal,” Bilal said.

Several factors contributed to the turnout. On the Democratic side, voters expressed frustration with the past eight years. For some black voters, the chance to see a black president made the election especially exciting.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Stephanie Simon of Greensboro, who said she had a particular reason for wanting to vote as early as possible. “I just felt like in case anything happened to me, my vote will be locked in.”

Republicans also pointed to high stakes in this year’s contest.

“It’s a very crucial election this year,” said High Point resident Pat Wade, who cast a ballot for John McCain. “It’s a privilege to have a vote. I don’t take that lightly.”

The crush began early.

When the polls opened at 8 a.m. at the Old County Courthouse in Greensboro, about 200 people waited in a line that doubled back on itself inside a first-floor hall and stretched out a side door.

Inside, at the front of the line, Russ Caffrey of Greensboro regretted missing the last City Council election. This time, he was worried that his construction job in Hickory would keep him away from the polls Nov. 4. So, Caffrey showed up at 7 a.m. Thursday to make sure he voted.

By about noon, the line was out to West Market Street. People approaching their turn to vote said they had been waiting for about 21/2 hours.

The scene was similar in High Point, where the line spilled out alongside an asphalt parking lot that radiated heat. Some found shade under the building’s overhang; others baked in the sun. A few opened umbrellas for shade. But few seemed bothered by the experience.

Ethel Murray of High Point enjoyed her time in line. Everyone was relaxed and friendly, and she talked and joked with people she met.

“We made some new friends,” she said.

Despite the flood of voters, opening more sites sooner is not an option, said George Gilbert, director of the county elections board. It would require federal approval.

“The plan’s the plan,” he said. “I expected it to be busy today. It’s always busy the first day.”

More than 100,000 Guilford voters might vote early this year, Gilbert predicted. The county has about 340,000 voters on its rolls.

Turnout likely will be large for this election.

“I think it’s a good chance this year we’ll see possibly a modern record turnout,” Gilbert said.

Relief will come soon for those looking to avoid a wait. Ten more voting locations across the county will open Sunday, and several more will open on Oct. 25.

Still, the lines Thursday made for a long day for many voters and poll workers.

Finally, at a quarter til 8, the line wound down at the courthouse downtown.

The last voter, Roshenea Bristow, carefully pored over her choices before hitting the button and leaving with a smile on her face.

“It really was worth it,” she said.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or at jason.hardin@news-record.com

Contact John Newsom at 373-7312 or at john.newsom@news-record.com