On your mark, get set ... vote!
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on October 14, 2004 2:07 PM
An-NNN-nnnd we're off!
Voting began today as the Wayne County Board of Elections opened its three one-stop polling places for the general elections. More than 25 people were waiting at the Wayne County Public Library for the 9 a.m. start.
Laverne and Frank Wiegand of Goldsboro were the first in line.
"We usually vote early but not this early," Mrs. Wiegand said. "We were discussing it last night and decided to come and beat the rush."
"Voting gives me the legal right to complain about the government," her husband joked.
The Wiegands are now free and clear to ignore TV and radio ads and newspaper stories about the campaigns, but Mrs. Wiegand says that she won't.
"I might be sorry who I voted for, but I can't take it back," she said.
Right behind them was Betty Lynch, who lives in the Rosewood community. She works at the polls at the Oakland Fire Station, so she wanted to be sure that she had a chance to vote.
"We might be too busy on Election Day," she said.
Virginia Lindsey of Goldsboro was taking advantage of the beautiful weather. "I don't drive much, and I was afraid that come Election Day, I might not be able to get out," she said.
She had already made her mind up on the candidates, she said. "I have prayed about it, and I have my convictions on it."
Geoff Hulse, chairman of the Wayne County Board of Elections, was on hand to greet the first voters.
"This certainly shows that our community is aware of one-stop voting, which we hope is a convenience to the voters," he said.
The line bogged down by computer problems. Elections workers were having to call the office on William Street to determine people's proper ballots. But county staff was working to get elections workers back on-line as soon as possible.
The library, 1001 E. Ash St., will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., while the Belfast station, 3212 U.S. 117 North, and Dudley station, 4533 U.S. 117 Alternative South, will be open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. All three locations will also be open Saturday, Oct. 30, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. That will be the last day of one-stop voting.
Registered voters can go to any of the one-stop locations.