I know the lead poll watcher who was in charge of this site. She said they anticipated a good turnout, but this was beyond what they were expecting.
Some observations:
1. Nearly one hour wait. 2. Enough poll workers, too few machines (10). 3. More than half were retirement age or older. 4. Next largest group were working age people over 40. 5. A few in there thirties. 6. I saw no twenty somethings, even though there is an open college close (TCU). 7. The building is large, so the line was all still indoors as I left, but SOCIAL DISTANCING WAS IGNORED BY ALL. (There were tape markers as you got in the polling room, but those were also ignored).
I hear the polls are packed.
This is going to be such a route, barring massive voter fraud.
It’s all looking up for Trump in Texas. Turnout is high in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and El Paso counties.
I bet you saw no pink, green or blue hair.
I’m in North Fort Worth and wanted to run by my polling place at lunch. They have this nifty wait time dashboard, updated 2 minutes ago. Right now I would have a 30-44 minute wait.
https://www.livevoterturnout.com/tarrant-nov-03-2020/Early%20Voting%20Dashboard.html
I figured I wait a few days before trying to brave the long lines.
My experience has been that I wait much longer in early voting, than I did when voting on Election Day.
Long lines = People not afraid to vote in person + mirrors the enthusiasm for Trump at the rallies.
Anecdotal observations from just north of Dallas in purple area. Not super busy (10-15 min wait...was 2 hour wait on election day in 2016) but high enthusiasm in my conservative circle, many people that I associate with have voted. Seems like people can’t wait to cast their vote for POTUS.
I voted at 9 am at the Colleyville Library. Waited about 40 min. First time I’ve voted in Tarrant County. Didn’t realize that you had to scan your own ballot after completing and printing it until I got home. Sure didn’t see any notice about it in the polling room. Have emailed the board of elections in Fort Worth to see if there’s a remedy or if I’m just outta luck having my vote counted.
-PJ
I mailed my Texas ballot from Panama yesterday (estimated to arrive by Friday). Since it goes to Bexar County (run by Democrats), who knows what might actually happens to it but I felt it was my duty to try. There is no regular mail going out of Panama right now because of the pandemic so I had to send by DHL courier for $45. Next time Americans want to complain about the cost/inconvenience of voting, remember this.
In good economic times, most of the poll workers are old grannies looking for a little extra income. With the current economy, I can imagine other unemployed want in on it too, even though it doesn’t pay that well.
Want a court challenge? Walk into the polling place with a MAGA hat that does not say “Trump” anywhere on it and see if you are challenged. Bonus points if, before this, you walk in with Biden/Harris tee shirt and see if you’re ignored. Even more fun, wear both at the same time and see if they ignore the tee shirt but pounce all over you about the cap.
I was in line at 0820. It took 2 hrs here on the south side of Corpus Christi. Same mix of people as you saw up north. Plenty of machines but a long ballot and the inability to do a straight vote slowed things.
My area is a conservative area and the lines were very long! I decided to return again tomorrow.
I got back about an hour ago, east Texas not far from Lufkin. Small town, I think houston has bigger malls...population 2100.
About 20 people in line, more than I expected, took about 20 minutes. I think most were over 40, one younger lady, maybe 30.
I already know the ratio here from ther 2016 primary, line out the door and about a 15 to 20 minute wait for republicans, 2 democrats came in the building the whole time. Right now I see about 35 or 40 Trump signs and flags, two Biden, 2nd one showed up this week.
I know Trump got 3 votes, I talked to a couple in line and as we left. Nothing about politics until we left, but I took an educated guess and mentioned it in the parking lot before leaving, they plan to be at the Trump car rally this weekend.