In downtown Reno, Democrat grassroots organizations held marches through the streets for early voting, which started Saturday. Throughout neighborhoods, Republican canvassers walked door-to-door, talking about campaign issues. And Obama and McCain stickers seemed to be popping up everywhere.

Election Day never felt so close.

With about 17 days left, the start of early voting marks the first wave of action in what is expected to be among the most heated counties among the battleground swing states.

“Even Daniel Burk, our county registrar estimates that there will be 75 percent voter turnout come Nov. 4,” said Billy Howard, founder of the local RENObama group. “That’s an astonishing number. That would be amazing if that many people actually came out and voted.”

Howard, anticipating the county’s typically low voter turnout, organized several marches to spread the word of early voting, especially to avoid long lines on the final Tuesday.

Also, with early voting, voters do not have to go to their assigned voting precinct, Howard said.

“There’s going to be a lot of people on the 4th,” Howard said, explaining the last-minute rush might discourage people from waiting in line. “We’re marching to let people know they can vote to get it done and out of the way.”

Passing out fliers and carrying signs, Howard and his group of nine people walked through the area surrounding the University of Nevada, Reno before making their way to the Knowledge Center, just one of the numerous early voting locations.

Other marches were lead through downtown, meeting up with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) leading to the Downtown Library on Center Street.

Meanwhile, McCain headquarters organized neighborhood walks, going around from door to door and passing out early voting location fliers and asking about campaign issues.

“I usually don’t get this involved unless there are certain issues I feel strongly about,” said Dorian McBride, a Verdi resident and McCain volunteer walking through the neighborhood near McQueen High School. “Early voting is important, just in case, because you never know what might come up on Nov. 4.”

And back in Sparks, voters were doing just that. Lined up at the Sparks Library once polls opened up at 10 a.m. the early Saturday morning crowd filled the once quiet reading area.

“It’s just important that everyone votes,” Claudette Andrews said, a Sparks resident and mental health provider, waiting in line to vote.

And as of the recent flip from a predominantly Republican county to a Democratic one, one quick glance at all of the bumper stickers and lawn signs proves that Washoe County has some battling to do.

“This state could make the difference,” Howard said.

Early voting polls close Oct. 31.

For a complete listing of locations and hours visit the Washoe County Voter Registrar’s Office Web site at www.washoecounty.us/voters.