Wash Post: Voters Experience Long Lines & minor problems in Fairfax Va

[DrPresident]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/04/AR2008110401000.html?hpid=topnews


Virginia, Maryland and District voters driven by the historic presidential election waited up to several hours in line at polling stations starting before sunrise today, but few widespread problems were reported by election officials.

By 10 a.m., almost half of all eligible Virginia voters had cast a ballot, according to the State Board of Elections.

Lines that stretched around buildings and down city blocks began to shrink by mid-morning but were expected to begin growing again around 4 p.m., when the after-work crowd hits Polls are scheduled to close at 7 p.m. in Virginia and 8 p.m. in Maryland and the District, although officials say they will extend the hours if necessary to accommodate people still in line by closing time.

"When you have a large portion of a precinct turn out first thing in the morning, that's going to present a problem," said Marjorie Roher, spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

On the flip side, Roher said, "I think long lines are a good thing -- getting people out there to vote is what it's all about."