Alexandria (web | news) , Va. - Election day has arrived and voters are heading to the polls to decide whether Democrat Creigh Deeds or Republican Bob McDonnell will be Virginia's next governor.

In past weeks, both gubernatorial candidates set out on whirlwind tours of the state, looking to win over undecided voters. But for Deeds and McDonnell, Election Day is all about the turnout.

The off-year election is nonetheless a potential turning point for the commonwealth.

"That's all we're here to do is represent our vote and try to keep it blue," said Andre Evans.

For the past eight years Democrats have occupied the governor's mansion. But according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll, Bob McDonnell leads Democrat Creigh Deeds by 18 points, 58-40. That is little changed in the three months since Deeds won the Democratic primary. That has many Republicans confident the gubernatorial seat will go red.

"It's a real big possibility," said Sandy Kenyon. "If any of the polls are indicators if half the people who show up that participated in the polls."

And that's the concern for McDonnell: some of his supporters might not show at the polls thinking victory is his.

After voting in Glenn Allen, outside of Richmond, McDonnel visited a Fairfax County (web | news) precinct near his childhood home Tuesday, urging people to get to the polls and to vote in his favor.

"Of course the polls are all tracking our way but the only one that matters is the one that finishes at 7 o'clock tonight," McDonnell said. "It would be a tremendous honor to serve as a governor of Virginia."

"I'm going to govern on the things that I campaigned on, which are jobs, the economy, transportation, keeping taxes and regulation low," he added. 

Democrat Creigh Deeds stumped in Alexandria Monday night. Tuesday he focused his efforts on undecided central and southwest Virginians after casting his vote in his native Bath County.

"It's been a wild ride," he said, "but the end's in sight."

In this year's race the wildcard is turnout. Local election officials say for a governor's race it seems healthy. It's a line of reasoning embraced by Deeds.

"The people that show up today are the ones who are going to make a decision," Deeds said. "The only poll that counts is the one taken today."

But the lack of lines surprised some voters at Riverside Elementary School in Alexandria.

"People just don't think it's that important, but it is," said Roseanna Brophy. "This is our governor, very important."

And voters recognize low turnout could turn what's been an intense race upside down.

"I think that probably hurts one party over the other," said John Pollard, who declined to say which party he thought it might hurt.

Also on the ballot: Decocrat Jody Wagner is running against Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Steve Shannon are running for attorney general.

Polls are open until 7 p.m. in Virginia. Tune in to NewsChannel 8's election coverage, beginning at 8 p.m.

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