Voter turn out in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County increased on election day 2009.

While some came to just cast a ballot, others were there to make a point.

Staunton voter Anna Bird says, "If I don't vote, then I don't have a right as far as I'm concerned to complain about what's going on. Voting gives me that right."

Christmas even came a little bit early this year for voter Daniel Zydiak, who wanted to express his freedom as a voter.

Santa Claus Impersonator and Waynesboro voter Zydiak, "I come to show the people that if they don't vote right, they will lose their freedom and they won't see me next year."

Zydiak says his costume was just to bring a little joy and excitement to the voting process.

He says, "It's just doing the right thing because, everybody knows in their heart what's right and what's wrong. You just have to vote what is right, and it's not party, it's principal."

Elyse Barnard knows the cost of freedom. Her husband is an Iraq veteran.

She says, "It's important for our daughter to see that we vote every year for every election."

Barnard and the high number of others throughout Augusta County who came out to vote knew showing up to cast that ballot was a priority.

Barnard says, "I think every election is important because you need to know who is taking care of you. So, I think it's very important to vote."

Officials in Waynesboro and Staunton say they have seen a definite increase in the number of voters.

An elections official in Fishersville says the city is reporting 100 percent of voter turn out compared to 2005.

As of 5:45 p.m. Tuesday evening, the Fort Defiance and Verona precincts reported that 90 percent of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election had already hit the polls.