BETH ROONEY

Essays: Chicago Votes 2008

Reminders to vote litter the ground outside the El stations on Chicago's north side on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
  
Voters of the 48th ward in Chicago, Illinois cast their ballots on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
  
Voters wait in lines outside the YMCA in Chicago, Illinois as voting begins on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
     
  
An Obama supporter buys a "Women for Obama!" political button on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. Barack Obama and John McCain finally make their closing statements and let the voters have their say.
   
Karen Brisco, a long time voter and Obama supporter, after voting for Barack Obama in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
  
Supporters of Barack Obama cruise down Michigan Avenue before the celebration in Grant Park on November 4, 2008.
     
  
Ticketless supporters of Barack Obama wait in line to enter the area marked for people without tickets in Butler Park in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Over 200,000 people were in Grant Park in Chicago to listen to Senator Obama declare victory in a hard fought presidential election.
   
Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers, a local Chicago celebrity waves signs in the crowd of ticketless supporters of Barack Obama as they wait in line to enter the area marked for people without tickets in Butler Park in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
   
Ticketless supporters of Barack Obama wait in line to enter the area marked for people without tickets in Butler Park in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Over 200,000 people were in Grant Park in Chicago to listen to Senator Obama declare victory in a hard fought presidential election.
     
  
Ticket takers stand ready for the crush of people waiting with tickets to get into Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Over 200,000 people were in Grant Park in Chicago to listen to Senator Obama declare victory in a hard fought presidential election.
   
Chicago Police officers stand ready for the crush of people waiting with tickets to get into Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Over 200,000 people were in Grant Park in Chicago to listen to Senator Obama declare victory in a hard fought presidential election.
   
A supporter of Barack Obama shaved her head in celebration of what she called "Barack's impending victory" stands outside Butler Park in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Over 200,000 people were in Grant Park in Chicago to listen to Senator Obama declare victory in a hard fought presidential election.
     
  
Ticketless supporters of Barack Obama wait in line to enter the area marked for people without tickets in Butler Park in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Over 200,000 people were in Grant Park in Chicago to listen to Senator Obama declare victory in a hard fought presidential election.
   
National, International and local media outlets flooded the south end of Grant Park in order to cover the historic Barack Obama rally in Chicago's Grant park on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. President elect Barack Obama addressed hundreds of thousands gathered in the park after declaring victory around 10:00 pm.
   
Voters watch early election results slowly roll in at the Cactus bar in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
     
  
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama crowd Grant Park on election night, November 4, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois, where Obama addressed the gathering of an unknown amount of people. On a dramatic night after record numbers of people cast votes, Obama won decisively in the Electoral College and won a majority of the popularity vote.
   
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama crowd Grant Park on election night, November 4, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois, where Obama addressed the gathering of an unknown amount of people. On a dramatic night after record numbers of people cast votes, Obama won decisively in the Electoral College and won a majority of the popularity vote.
   
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama crowd Grant Park on election night, November 4, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois, where Obama addressed the gathering of an unknown amount of people. On a dramatic night after record numbers of people cast votes, Obama won decisively in the Electoral College and won a majority of the popularity vote.
     
  
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama scream and wave to TV cameras in the crowds at Grant Park on election night, November 4, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois, where Obama addressed the gathering of an unknown amount of people. On a dramatic night after record numbers of people cast votes, Obama won decisively in the Electoral College and won a majority of the popularity vote.
   
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama crowd Grant Park on election night, November 4, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois, where Obama addressed the gathering of an unknown amount of people. On a dramatic night after record numbers of people cast votes, Obama won decisively in the Electoral College and won a majority of the popularity vote.
   
President-elect Barack Obama addresses supporters during his election night rally at Grant Park on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.