Long lines, confusion mark voting at Alexander Elementary in Grand Rapids

[Dollface]

Source: The Grand Rapids Press

With excitement and trepidation about long lines and long waits, voters came prepared today with chairs, magazines, a sense of humor and a sense of pride as many first-time voters mingled with experienced ones to "make history." Alexander Elementary School at 1010 Alexander has a history of long lines and snafus.

snip

The school handles voting for more than one precinct, and many voters were getting in the wrong precinct line. Delays were disconcerting for some residents, who saw long lines for their precinct and minimal wait in the neighboring 21st precinct.

Urban League President Walter Brame went through the lines making sure people were in the right place.
He chuckled when he saw one lone white man among a sea of black faces, and sure enough, the man who lived in the 21st precinct was in the wrong line.

"I told him he could go to the shorter line and he said, 'Why, why do I have the privilege?'..."


Read more: http://www.mlive.com/grpress/news/index.ssf/2008/11/long_lines_confusion_mark_voti.html

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I felt this was a good snapshot.

There are other comments from people preparing to wait for hours that brought tears to my eyes. Also, the mayor was on hand to get more voting booths.

[Ghost Dog]

1. .

Lles Holden, 25, saw the line wrapped around Alexander Elementary School and returned to his Watkins Street home.

The first-time voter quickly emerged with a folding chair and his "Hip Hop Weekly" magazine. "I see this is going to be a long one, but this has excited the youth and it's time for a change."

His 24-year-old wife, Daevwana Holden, yelled across the line, "You sit as long as you want baby. I'll hold your place in line, 'cause we got this today.' "

Lles Holden tried to get his wife to sit down. Daevwana Holden refused, adding, "I'm standing up for what I believe in."

:pals:

[llmart]

2. Oh, man,

that brought tears to my eyes. "I'm standing up for what I believe in." Rosa Parks would be so proud as would MLK, Jr.