BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour in Mexico, where voters are picking their next leader today in the most hotly contested race in the country's history. For the first time in seven decades, the long-ruling and very powerful Institutional Revolutionary Party faces a serious challenge from an opposition party candidate. From Mexico City, Harris Whitbeck with more.</s>HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The voting center in the Sanfransisco (ph) neighborhood in one of Mexico's City's most populous districts was jammed with people waiting to vote early Sunday. One of those was Yolanda Chavez (ph), who took her young daughter with her as she decided on her future leaders. Yolanda hoped this time around, her vote would be respected. . "Elections have never been transparent," she says, "never since I can remember." Yolanda says she wants tangible change as a result of her vote. "It is always the same. They always make promises. And we, as citizens, see so much violence and crime," she says. A single mother, Yolanda struggles to raise her daughter. She says it would be easier if she had running water in her house and access to daycare so she could work. The two leading candidates in this race, official party member Francisco Labastida and opposition leader, Vicente Fox, have promised to improve the situation of Mexico's poor. Fox is counting on disillusionment with policies of the past to carry him to the presidency. Labastida hopes people will put their trust in his party which has been in power for 71 years. With voter turnout exceptionally high in several Mexico City voting districts, the high interest promises to make it a close race. (on camera): Analysts say this has been the cleanest electoral race in recent history. And the feeling among many voters is that, this time around, their vote will really count. Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Mexico City.
Mexican Election: Citizens Want Votes to Really Count