Half of county's voters already finished
By Staff Reports
Published in News on November 3, 2008 1:46 PM
Election Day isn't until Tuesday, but already nearly 50 percent of registered voters have cast ballots in Wayne County -- a record number, according to county elections director Vickie Reed.
"As I understand it, it is," she said, adding that it's more than even she had anticipated. "We were expecting about 45 percent, so it's a little over, but we weren't too far off.
"We're happy with the turnout, and we're happy with how smooth all five of our one-stops ran. We had a good crew out there, and we're pleased with how patient the public was with us."
In 17 days of one-stop voting, 34,073 of Wayne County's 69,706 registered voters cast ballots (48.88 percent).
Ms. Reed said she did not know yet how many of those were registering and voting the same day, but that "it averaged at the library about 100 a day."
Voters will not, however, be allowed to register and vote on Election Day.
Polls will be open Tuesday in all 30 precincts from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., and Ms. Reed is expecting another large crowd.
"I think the state's expecting about an 80 percent turnout from what I hear, so that would mean another 30 percent for us. It would be very nice," she said. "I think (crowds) should be steady all day, but your longest lines are going to be your lunch hour and right after 5 p.m. That's when people seem to like to go."
Upon arrival at the polls, voters will be asked to give their name and residential address.
For voter information, call the Wayne County Board of Elections office at 731-1411, or see www.waynegov.come/boe for precinct maps, locations and sample ballots.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m., as precincts close and numbers are brought back to the main office, election results will be posted at the board office at 209 S. William St. They also will be available at www.waynegov.com/boe and at www.sboe.state.nc.us.