PHOTOS BY KATIE DALSEMER ©

Leigh Martin proudly displayed her Mutts Against Mitt shirt that went over big in a dog-loving town like Topanga. Messenger mascots, Pip and Remo, display their patriotism and political persuasion for staff photographer, Katie Dalsemer.

At the Malibu Prudential polling place Jordan Michaelson (r) watched as Linda Dubin prepared to put her ballot in the electronic ballot reader that will scan it for any errors.

Topanga Elementary poll volunteer, Michael Barry (l), examined the top stub of Carlos Gómez’s ballot before he could put it in the box. By 7 p.m. more than 500 Topangans had voted at the Topanga Elementary polling place.