Posted on 11/02/2004 9:49:56 AM PST by GulliverSwift
[11/02 12:14 PM]
I don't want to put too much stock into the anecdotal reports I'm getting. I don't want to focus too much on the trees, and not enough on the forest.
Having said those caveats, it sounds like turnout in the rural districts and counties in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota is big. And maybe Wisconsin, too.
From Stephanie:
I vote at a Fire Hall in a small rural town in Pennsylvania... Bainbridge. I was there at 6:45 to cast my vote for President Bush. Along with about 100 other voters. This is amazing when you consider what a small area this polling location covers. After speaking with some of the old timers while waiting in line, this is unprecedented turnout.
From Frank:
I voted this morning in the Valley Forge area in the Philly suburbs. I got there around 9:20 (I've got a newborn and got a late start) and didn't vote until 10:45. Around 10:30 I overheard an election worker say they'd already had 1/3 of the total voters they had in 2000. I'd say my district tends Republican, but not heavily. One annoying thing was that the check-in process was split into three lines: A-G, H-O and P-Z. Unfortunately, the A-G book (mine) was twice as thick as the others, so my wait was longer than the last 2/3 of the alphabet. Bad planning.
The election workers expressed some concern that they'd have to shut voters out when the polls close at 8:00 pm. GOPers, don't wait until the last minute!!!!
From Mark:
I went to the polls at 7:30 in rural PA (Berks County). I waited 25 minutes to vote and was number 113. Heck, I remember going the last time in the evening and only being 150ish or so. The turnout in my precinct was high (at least in the morning).
And for variety, here is Tom in Minnesota:
I live in Blaine Minnesota. A working class suburb of Minneapolis that used to be Democratic but now is a Republican district. Turnout at my precinct was extremely heavy. We waited about a half hour in line.
Meanwhile, a friend, a Kerry supporter who lives in a very heavily Democratic area of South Minneapolis reported to me that she only had four people in front of her in line.
And Bryan in Minnesota:
I'm one of Rove's exurbanites outside of Minneapolis. Showed up at the poll at 6:30am (polls open at 7am) and the line was about 50 deep. By the time the polls opened, we estimated at least 250 in line. When I left after voting, the line was at least 150 and a pretty good traffic jam of cars trying to enter the parking lot. Much, much heavier than 2002 Coleman/Mondale election, which may not be an accurate barometer.
From Mike:
I live in Farmington Hills, Michigan which is in Southwest Oakland County. Its a rainy day but not too cold. I arrived at 9:00 am... It took about 35 minutes to vote and with what looked like an above average turnout, one of the volunteers told me that the wait was over an hour during the morning rush before people go to work.
The best thing I saw was a man who was about 30 with 2 small children getting his picture taken in line. He said that he had just become a US citizen and this was his first time voting! The pride on his face was obvious and everyone in line congratulated him. Watching this it really confirmed to me what a great and special country we live in.
UPDATE: From James in Wisconsin:
Wow, BIG turnout at my polling station in NE Wisconsin (Neenah to be specific), which is Bush country. I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes to vote in any previous election. This time, the line went out the building, all the way out to the sidewalk, and started going down the sidewalk, and it was continuing to grow the whole time I was there. It took almost an hour to get through the line. This looks good for Bush. The folks on the radio were saying election officials expect 75% turnout.
By the way, the vast majority of the people there looked like Bush people. You know, hunting caps, camo gear etc... The guy in front of me in line had a leather GOP jacket with a Bush button on it. He got all the way to the voting booth before they made him take it off. There was only one poll watcher there, and he was a Bush GOP guy.
Same goes for Ohio. Large turnout in suburbs and rural areas.
Whoops...you mean we're not supposed to wear Bush/Cheney buttons?
Im from Arkansas and We are seeing same thing here. Heavy Heavy Turnouts in republican Precincts. I waited 25 minutes to vote this a.m last election maybe 5 to 10 minutes. I do think the media has vastly underestimated the intensity of The Republican base to keep George in Office. Great News!
Reporting from nothern michigan, the turnout is huge, very Republican area. And from what I can tell the young voters are going with Bush.
it's only 1PM. The big hand on my clock is going backwards. THIS DAY IS TAKING FOREVER. GO BUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
add to that the Amish votes Bush didn't get last time!
Definitely a big turnout in the south shore suburbs in Milwaukee County.
Well, I did hear Christine Matthews today saying something like there is huge, like 97 percent, support for Bush among Republicans, which is unprecendented for someone to get within his own party.
Turnout in the river valleys NW of the cities, i.e., Wright County, MN - is VERY, VERY, VERY high. LOTS of RAT vans canvassing door to door...looking for large number of bused-in voters. Will report...mobile right now.
You think you got it bad? Its only 10am here! LOL
No you are not. Its seen as electioneering.
At my polling place in a semi rural area (Plumstead Pennsylvania) at about 11am they were already above 500 and said the lines had been non stop.
Good news as this area will lean Bush.
Where did you hear that? Are you in Ohio?
wow weird, my clock stopped moving and everything is going in slow motion, my cat is pouncing, i think, but its been in the air slowly moving for what seems an eternity.
LOL!
Why in the world do you have that screen name? At least you're biased in favor of Bush.
What's the punishment?
heheh. The sad thing is, I am at work and have no jobs today. So my job is to surf the net and atch the clock. I have Rush on and I am going back and forth between FR and Drudge...
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