But observers say it's a crucial time for this Andean nation. Peru has managed to clean house of the corrupt regime of ex-President Alberto Fujimori and his henchman, Vladimiro Montesinos, but now must climb out of a crisis of debt, high unemployment and economic recession, all while restoring democratic institutions damaged as Fujimori amassed almost dictatorial powers. It's a tall order for any politician to inherit.
Expectations are too high, the economic restrictions are too tight and there's a lack of cohesion.
For the United States, the hope is that Peru will regain stability, restoring some confidence to a region that lately has been wracked by political and economic turmoil in Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Venezuela. It's an extremely important election for Peru and comes at a time of extraordinary political change for the country. Scrambling for the job is a small herd of candidates, with three rising to the top in pre-election polls. None seems likely to win more than 50 percent in the first round, meaning the top two will go to a run-off sometime in the next two months. Toledo emerged in that campaign as an exciting new figure, stoking the fires of anti-Fujimori discontent.