SPRINGFIELD - The hometown of TV's Simpsons family is well-known for the colorful, four-fingered and mostly dysfunctional cast of characters that walks its streets.

Fourteen towns across the country want to be that Springfield.

With the much-anticipated release of "The Simpsons Movie" looming in the coming weeks, towns named Springfield from New Jersey to Oregon are vying to host the film premiere.

As part of a publicity blitz for the movie, 20th Century Fox sent cities that chose to participate video equipment and props, including a can of Simpson-skin-tone yellow paint, to make a short film about why they should get the premiere.

People have been voting for their favorites at www.the

simpsons.usatoday.com. Voting ends at midnight today.

In Springfield, Ill., city officials have been energetically pumping the project for weeks and are nervously awaiting the results.

"We are literally sitting on pins and needles," said city spokesman Ernie Slottag.

He says they want the tourist dollars that could come with being affiliated with the popular show.

But others think local officials' recent enthusiasm to host the movie isn't worth the effort as the real Springfield fights homelessness and other issues.

"They seem to be awfully focused on this," resident Jim Valentine said.

Slottag said he's not worried about being affiliated with a town known for its lazy police, three-eyed fish and record-setting overweight citizenry.

Slottag says the city hasn't planned for the premiere yet because they're still just hoping to beat out the 14 other Springfields.

The film opens July 27.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.