N.C. voters out in large numbers

The News & Observer, ^ | Nov. 5, 2002 | TIM SIMMONS

[jern]

By TIM SIMMONS, STAFF WRITER

North Carolina voters began streaming to the polls in relatively large numbers this morning as this year's election campaigns shifted their attention to getting out the vote.

Many precinct workers throughout Wake County reported voters were waiting when polls opened at 6:30 a.m., said Cherie Poucher, director of the Wake County Board of Elections.

"Things are looking very good at this point, and we are feeling good about turnout," Poucher said.

The Wake board of elections is not predicting local voter turnout this year, although state officials said they are expecting about 50 percent of registered voters to come to the polls for the mid-term election statewide. Turnout for general elections in North Carolina historically run between 42 and 50 percent. The polls are open across the state until 7:30 p.m.

Weather could play a role in voting turnout later on today, with showers predicted.

"We've had quite a few people come in right away while it's still dry," said Jeannie Inskeep, the chief judge for Precinct 18-01 on Trailwood Drive in Raleigh. "It looks like it's going to be a good day."

More than 200 people had voted at the precinct by 8 a.m. compared to only 300 voters for the entire day during the September primary election. No major problems were reported throughout the county or the state, although several minor glitches forced precinct workers to improvise in the first few hours of the day.

Workers found themselves locked out of the building at Precinct 17-03 in Raleigh at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Early voters cast their ballots outside until things could be set up, Poucher said. Jammed ballots also caused small delays in a few places.

Statewide, voting was delayed at precincts in Charlotte, New Hanover County and Jones County because of machine malfunctions or incomplete registration lists that had to be corrected before those polls could open, said Don Wright, general counsel for the state board of elections.

"But the first part of the morning hasn't brought us any problems and we hope it stays that way," Wright said.

With a full ballot, voters came to the polls for a variety of reasons. For Renee Wall, who lives two blocks from the fire station where ballots are cast in Precinct 17-03, it was the chance to make sure she voted for John Baker in the local race for sheriff.

Across town where voters in Precinct 1-15 cast votes at Carroll Middle School, it was the chance to case a vote for Elizabeth Dole that especially attracted Carl Ebhardt and his wife Glenda to the polls.

"We vote every election so we would have been here anyway, but it's the senate race that's the most important to us this year," Glenda Ebhardt said.

[jern]

Not good if you ask me, big turnout in NC usually isn't good for the R's

[jern]

Constitution Day; mykdsmom;

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I know two yellow dog Democrats in that area who switched to Republican. I think there are going to be surprises in these "secure" Dem races.

[Constitution Day]

No, it isn't jern.
Will hit the NC list.

[dhfnc]

Voted early this morning in Forsyth County in a predominately Republican area and the poll was packed. I have never seen it like this, except during Presidential elections.

I just hope that all Republican areas have good turnout.

One thing did bother me, my husband had to vote ahead of time and I looked at the book as I was being checked in and they had nothing marked on his name about having voted.

[boomop1]

I saw a lot of republican ballots it appears they are color coded at least here in New Hanover County.

[Constitution Day]

NC ping!

Please FRmail me if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[LaceyLev]

I'm in N.C. and we (husband and I) both voted by mail this year.

[Lurking2Long]

My fear too...

[mrb1960]

Doesn't a higher an average voter turnout traditionally favor the Pubs???

[FF578]

In our precinct the machine counter was already on 562 by 10:00 AM when me and my wife voted. It is a Republican Area though.

[Vigilanteman]

Early voters are generally Republican because it coincides with:

1. Jobs
   
2. Getting up early
   
3. Following the rules

   Late voters, extension of hours and vanloads of people driving from polling place to polling place are better indicators of Democrat turnout.

[PhiKapMom]

Christian Coalition put out the largest number of voting guides to Churches across America they had done since 1994 I was told. This could bode very well for us if the Christian Evangelicals are out voting today like they were in 1994!

[hchutch]

That isa good sign, IMHO.

[Howlin]

Hard to say, you guys. My precinct wasn't all that busy -- I was the 875th voter, but when I updated my precinct list, I got 337 NEW GOP registrations since August! GOP!

[EternalVigilance]

Turnout is VERY heavy in Charleston, WV so far...and it is running about 2 to 1 Republican.

Of course, when the plants close in the late afternoon, the labor vote will kick in.

But right now, our candidates in Charleston are smiling.

The Wolfe campaign has been expecting and working hard for high turnout on our side, and expecting fairly low Dem turnout.

Still too early to tell really, but the early indications are good.

EV

[Darth Reagan]

I was number 277 at my precinct at 8am. There was a line out the door. I don't feel too good about this.

See my predictions.

[PhiKapMom]

That's great! Good Luck to you all!

[EternalVigilance]

West Virginians for Life blanketed the churches throughout WV on Sunday with over 100,000 voter guides that detailed Rockefeller's votes for partial birth abortions, and endorsed Jay Wolfe and his 100% pro-life position.

We have the gun vote in the bag as well. It's going to be a very interesting evening.

[Darth Reagan]

Hard to say, you guys. My precinct wasn't all that busy -- I was the 875th voter, but when I updated my precinct list, I got 337 NEW GOP registrations since August! GOP!

Where are you and was there some kind of big registration effort? That's good news.