Voters turning out, but lines and waits are manageable
Voters have kept local election workers busy since 6 a.m. as Central Virginians go to the polls today to cast ballots on a variety of offices from governor to county commissioner of revenue. Precinct workers across Charlottesville said the turnout has been steady, but not heavy, estimating that the morning rush has been about 40 percent of the heavy turnout of the 2012 presidential election. At 9 a.m., the voting booths were full, but voters had only a few minutes to wait in the city's Recreation precinct, near downtown. "We didn't expect anything like we had for the presidential election, but it's been good," said Harvey Finkel, a poll official at the precinct. "It's going well." "It's a bit chilly, but it's been a good morning," said Michael Farruggio, Republican candidate for the city council. "It's great seeing people." . . .
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Update: Lynchburg-area registrars busy as voters choose governor
2 p.m. update:
Voter turnout in the Lynchburg area as of 2 p.m. was at least normal, and perhaps a little better than that, poll workers were saying.
In Bedford County, the turnout "is much better than expected," said Barbara Gunter, the county's voter registrar. As of 2 p.m., 24 percent of the county's registered voters had cast ballots, indicating a final turnout of 35 to 40 percent, Gunter said.
In Lynchburg, the midday activity at the polls suggested the city's turnout also could land between 35 and 40 percent, said Pat Bower, chairwoman of the electoral board.
Amherst County's turnout also was surprising the registrar's office staff. "It seems higher than we thought it would be," said Gary Beasley, the Amherst registrar.
In Campbell County, registrar Karen Danos said she had been busy solving problems for voters who moved without updating their address, and turnout numbers at midday were not available. The early-morining voting in Campbell was a little lower than expected, Danos said.
Turnout for gubernatorial elections rarely tops 40 percent of registered voters, substantially less than than the 70-percent turnouts typically recorded in presidential elections like last year.