Voter Turnout Report From West Virginia

[ThomWV]

I just came back from paying my taxes at the County Court House. This is Preston County, West Virginia (1st Congressional District). A room of the Court House is used as a polling place; I could see inside easily. This is a mountainous rural county with no large or even median sized cities and no major manufacturing. Mining and timber provide much of the county's employment; many residents commute to service jobs in neighboring counties.

On a wednesday morning, 10:30 AM, a week before the official election, the polling booths were full, but there was no waiting line. I noticed orderly traffic going in and coming out of the single room where less than a half dozen electronic voting machines were in place. All the machines were in use when I arrived as well as when I left about 15 minutes later.

So, what does this indicate to me? A large voter turnout would seem to be indicated. Considering the day of the week (midweek workday), the time of day (neither before or after work, nor during lunch), and the proximity to the election that is still almost a full week away it was surprising to see any of the machines in use to be quite honest about it.

[kstewart33]

1. Good encouraging report. Thanks! eom