President Obama took to Reddit this afternoon and urged users to cast their vote in today's general election.

"Millions of Americans have stepped up in support of this campaign over the last 19 months, and today we decide what the next four years look like - but only if we show up," Obama wrote. "I ask that you go out there and cast your vote, whatever your political persuasion."

Obama said he was "checking in" because the polls will start to close in several hours on the East Coast, "and I need you to vote."

"If you've voted already, don't stop there - spread the word to your friends, roommates, and neighbors. Think of it as upvoting," he added - a reference to the practice of promoting something on Reddit.

Obama is no stranger to Reddit. The president sat for an "Ask Me Anything" session in August, answering questions from community members for about 40 minutes.

"I want to thank you all again for the reception you gave me in August for my AMA," he wrote today. "Good questions. Definitely not bad."

Obama staffers did not offer up any proof that it was indeed the president who penned today's note; during the AMA, they posted a photo of Obama (above) pensively typing on a Mac.

The responses to the president's post were largely positive, though, with American Reddit users telling Obama they had already voted for him and some of the European users wishing they could. One user, however, was not impressed and urged other Redditors to "Wake up! Wake up! People inform yourselves!!!"

"Dammit, Mr. President. Did you have to try to crash Reddit on Election Day?" another user quipped.

The first polls start to close shortly. For more, see How to Watch Tonight's Election Results Online and NJ's Grand Experiment: Is Email Voting Safe? Also check out Online Voting: What It Means for the Presidential Election and A Voter's Guide to 2012 Election Memes.