TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The 2008 presidential election already has people choosing sides and candidates.

On Saturday, the Alabama Republican Assembly tried to get a sense of which conservative candidate Alabamians are supporting most by holding an informal straw poll at the Bryant Conference Center.

Out of 266 ballots cast, it was Texas Congressman Ron Paul by an overwhelming majority, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a distant second.

"People buy tickets, they get a meal and the vote for the candidate of their choice,” said Ron Paul supporter Mark Nielson.

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Whether it's Romney, Giuliani, Thompson, or any of the other seven top republican candidates running for president, some Alabamians are speaking their mind in a straw poll.

“Before they vote, they listen to each candidate, albeit about 15 minutes in length. Fred Thompson, someone speaking for him, and obviously we have someone speaking for Ron Paul,” said Nielson.

Republicans from all over the state were expected to take part and to help their candidates get noticed.

“Well, Pat Robertson said when he ran for president, he won the Iowa straw poll, but it didn't mean a thing, so mainly this is to get the names of the candidates out,” said Carol Hagan of Jacksonville.

The straw poll hopes to also draw in people like Tracy Kozinski.

"This is the first time I've participated in anything ever, politically. I vote as I'm supposed to. This is the first time a candidate has moved me to become so incredibly involved,” said Kozinski.

With words of support for their candidate written on car windows, the Alabama straw poll voters hoped to convince others to wade through the candidates and vote the right Republican into the White House.

Alabama will play a more prominent role nationally in the 2008 election because the state's primary will be one of the first. Last spring, the Alabama legislature voted to move Alabama’s presidential primary up from June to February. Last month, Attorney General Troy King made the official request to the justice department. Legislators expect the department to approve the change.