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Barack Obama, wrapping up a 40-hour battleground state blitz, headed to his hometown of Chicago Thursday and cast his ballot, making him the first U.S. president in history to vote before election day.

The stopover — 12 days before the election — was more than a photo opportunity, it was a high-profile attempt to boost turnout in early voting, a centrepiece of Obama’s strategy.

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“All across the country we’re seeing a lot of early voting,” Obama said. It was “really convenient,” but, he joked, “I can’t tell you who I voted for.”

Obama signed forms and showed his driver’s license at a South Side Chicago voting site and then voted at a blue voting machine.

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About 35% of the electorate is expected to vote before Election Day.

Obama won the endorsement of retired General Colin Powell, a moderate Republican, on Thursday as he and Republican rival Mitt Romney engaged in frantic campaigning in battleground states to try to turn a razor-close race their way.