PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) - The work is underway to prepare for a presidential candidate in Portsmouth Tuesday afternoon.

Workers at Portsmouth High School are putting together the stage where John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, will hold a town hall meeting Wednesday.

McCain's event starts at 3pm. You don't need a ticket, but the gym only holds 1800 people and they are expecting a big crowd.

The doors open at 1pm Wednesday. The Lawrence County Republican Executive Committee says if you want in, you'd better get there early.

Both McCain and presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama are spending money in Ohio for advertising. Many people predict Ohio will play a crucial role in deciding the next president.

Obama will not be in southern Ohio Wednesday, but the chairman of the Democratic party in Scioto County says Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will headline a rally at the Plumber's and Pipe Fitter's Union Hall on Gallia Street at 10am Wednesday in support of Obama.