Republican turnout across the nation continues to impress. There are pockets of strong turnout in some Democrat areas as well, though Democrat turnout seems down overall. Citizen journalists are providing the best up-to-date information and firsthand accounts of turnout, events at polling places, and irregularities.
The following reports were received via the Breitbart News ELECTION TIP LINE (noreply@breitbart.com) between 8:20 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST, Election Day, November 6. Some reports received in the same time period have already been posted--the response, from every state in the nation, has been overwhelming.
Alabama
I live in Huntsville, Alabama where 'it doesn't matter if you vote' - the line was down the hall of the church I vote in! I have never stood in a line like that! I have been voting since 1980. Obviously Alabamans think it DOES matter this year!
Arizona
1. I went to the polling place this morning specified by mail, only to find out that they had changed the location. So I turned around to go to the local elementary school instead. Everyone was nice and cordial. There were quite a few snow-birds in line to vote. One elderly guy asked for a chair to sit on while he waited in line and the polite polling volunteer provided him with one. We have a Romney/Ryan sign in our front yard and all of our neighbors have commented on how much they like it. Some drove by giving a thumbs up. I haven’t seen a single Obama yard sign anywhere. The excitement in Arizona is definitely with Romney!
2. I voted at 6:50am at a polling location in South Scottsdale, 64th street and Thomas road. It is in the new AZ 9th district. There was no line at all. One woman was in front of me. No real excitement. The only issue I saw was that they told some people they would have to vote on a provisional ballot if they had been sent an early ballot in the mail. Many people were told this while I was there. Some claimed they hadn't been sent one. The poll workers were pretty rude and kept talking about how they couldn't understand why voters were unaware of what they had requested. I've always been suspicious of this issue with early ballots in AZ. If next to your name it says you've requested an early ballot, you can only vote provisionally. There is no appeal for the voter. In 2008 I was told I couldn't vote by a poll worker who claimed I had requested an early ballot. I had not. I fought her and finally another worker looked at the roll and saw that it was a mistake. I was allowed to vote. People don't fight the poll workers on this issue. You should look into this. I'm convinced it’s a way to suppress voting.
California
1. I've never seen so many people at my polling place! Normally, the parking lot is completely empty, and the entire voting process is pretty quiet and dull. When I voted this morning, the parking lot was full, with people driving around looking for spaces to park! I could barely get my car back out after voting with all the cars in there. Packed to the gills inside, with short lines (we never have lines at all!) A very enthusiastic, happy mood inside; people seemed thrilled to be voting. This was not the mood at all in 2008; I would call the mood then quiet. Although California is overwhelmingly Democratic, our area is overwhelmingly Republican.
2. I live on the Left coast California...and it’s all about Romney! Even my gay dog groomer will be voting for anybody but Obama! God Bless America...God Bless Romney!!!
Delaware
1. Delaware (bright bright bright blue) polling places are very quiet and has been ALL DAY. Guy I spoke with went to five different polling stations (he got the wrong address multiple times) and all throughout Wilmington there are few voters and NO LINES whatsoever. That's in Biden's hometown (he lives in Greensville which is just north).
I've heard Delaware/Bucks county just over the line in PA have heavy Republican turnouts. I can also vouch that I saw huge amounts of Romney/Ryan signs all over Glen Mills, West Chester and other cities in the area. It's a strong trend; Republican counties have big if not huge turnouts & Democratic counties are turning out small (New Castle, Kent).
2. I live in Dover, DE in Kent County. In 2008 I arrived to vote before 7 am (doors opens) and I was like 500th in line. I had never seen a voting line so long. This year, I arrived at 6:30 am. I was 20th in line. I could not believe it. The line did grow rather fast by 7 am but the line was only half of that in 2008. Since this is a heavily Democrat state as well as my precinct, it is a sign that the Obama supporters are depressed and not in force. My mom voted in another precinct and she said she was "in and out."
Florida
1. I consider myself a Tea Party independent and voted at precinct 504 (Serenata Beach Club). There was note a huge crowd on hand. I went right in and voted. I did ask a poll worker if it had been busy. His response was that 47% of the precinct had voted early and that 500-600 had voted today. I did notice some Obama supporters on hand but it was otherwise difficult to tell. Based on the eye-test of the neighborhood the last several weeks, however, it appears to be overwhlmingly pro Romney-Ryan. Also, there appears to be much fewer young people at this particular polling station than there was in '08. That, again, is based strictly on appearances.
2. I am a San Diego transplant in the heart of Miami-Dade. I live in the community of Westchester, Miami, the Cuban community stronghold. I see around 13 Romney signs to 2 Obama signs. I waited in line to vote a week ago for 4 hours. Today's voting line in Everglades K-8 is sixty people deep and continuous.
3. Was at the poll location around 6:30am, the line had started, but it was quiet and orderly. Once inside things changed a bit. Personal opinion, too many people showed up at the polling location like they had found out last night the election was today, not prepared, did not even know if they were at the right place. Voter registration card, what is that? We are using paper ballots here in Florida. They are quite simple, or so I thought, broken arrows to the right of your choices, use a black ink pen (supplied) and complete the arrow for the selection you desire. Well, the pens supplied, many were out of ink...at 7:10…really? Fortunately I brought my own. People were standing around waiting to use a booth to fill out their ballots, letting booths stand empty for minutes at a time because people could apparently not figure out where to go. I fear FL will once again lead the charge into ridiculousness.
4. At 8:00am this morning, the scanner machine wouldn't scan my ballot. That was after I was TOLD to place the ballots in the "provisional ballot" slot on the side of the machine. I asked why – no answer. I attempted to scan it – wouldn’t even accept an inch of the paper ballot. When I asked if it would be hand counted, I got no response. This happened at the Fenn Center in Fort Pierce FL 34950, precinct 19 machine.
5. My girlfriend and I were at the polls just after opening. We waited about an hour to have ballot finally scanned. We were the 91st and 92nd voters to cast. Pretty quiet and orderly and a slow rain started when we were leaving. I have a really good feeling about the heavy early turnout and my judgment is that there is going to be a strong message sent to the White House...
6. Fairly long line to vote but still quick. Efficiently organized. Light sprinkles. No problems. Those politicking were confined to the street in front of the VFW. Saw an African-American couple holding Romney/Ryan signs. Most of the signs were for local elections. Did not notice an Obama sign but could have just missed it. There is a distinct lack of Obama signs around town. My short cul-de-sac has none. Two Romney/Ryan signs.
7. More people than I have ever seen waiting in line in any election. A lot of enthusiasm. Crowd looked about even Democrat/Republican. It was past 9:00am so after the work crowd had left, so there were a lot of women and elderly waiting to vote. Just one odd thing: there was a man at the entrance to the polling place asking for last names (to determine which line we belonged to) then he directed us to which line to stand in to receive our ballots. He had no visible ID on him and eventually an election worker asked him who he was. He replied "I am just a volunteer". Then some of the election workers and poll watchers approached him and asked who he was and to see his ID. He said he did not have an ID. They told him that he could not be there doing what he was doing and asked him to leave. The man left without an incident.
Georgia
1. I live in Houston County, Georgia which is located in the middle of the state. We have an Air Force base and we are very conservative. The polling place was overcrowded this morning at 7:15am so my wife and I chose to come back at lunch to vote with our 4 year old daughter because we wanted to make sure she took part in the voting process. The county to the north of ours contains Macon, Georgia which is an old city and is half minority and votes democrat. I was surprised to see a voting sign yesterday in a minority section of town that read "shut up and vote" from the Macon Democrat Party. This sign says a lot. Are the blacks in cities like Macon upset enough that they are complaining about Obama or worse that they will sit at home? Is this a trend throughout the country? I also see very few Obama signs. Looks like the thrill met reality and got stomped on. Go Romney!!!
2. Our part of the 9th district was lucky to vote in a local church this morning, as it was a cold and rainy one. The parking lot was near capacity at 6:45am, and the line followed the hallways inside. I talked with a few friends on topics from the turnout to Sandy. Almost everyone seemed to be in good spirits. The few exceptions were the 2% of obvious democrats looking for each other. This was a strong showing for the Romney team. 0 reports of voting machine problems. Out in 30 minutes. Not sure why another here mentioned the armed officer; 2 were in attendance and voting this morning, and I was glad to see them. I did not see any obvious observers of any kind other than our seasoned citizens who always work the venue. I was infuriated to see the reports of Panthers in Philly and other voting issues when I got home. That simply doesn't happen here. In fact, the folks here would stop a problem like that in short order.
Hawaii
I am in Honolulu Hawaii and the voting is brisk. Many early voters are interested in the local voting as nationally we are the last to close our polls. Early voters had one of the largest turnouts ever. Today is bigger. The negative thing is many people feel the election is over when they hear exit polling from the continent and do not go out after 3pm here as they may think the big picture on the mainland has little to do with us. Hawaii is blue.
No voting has been a recent happening since in the 60s and 70s when we had a large percentage turn out. Now it hovers around 50% of registered voters. Registered voters make up about 60% of the population. Do some math and 17% of the population can control the outcome of power holders. Surf or not it is always the few that control the many now. Democracy works only when the people vote.
That would mean they may feel disenfranchised or just do not care. That means that the groups that turn out their voters could control the outcome. These groups are usually of a certain racial background, and union members. That makes up the democrat party here and has been in control since the mid 60s. Only a few republicans/independents get into office. So it is great to see so many in voting lines at 11 am( 5 hours behind Eastern time).
The streets are lined with sign wavers (started by my pop some 54 years ago) so the awareness is not a problem.
A new voice has come out to challenge the establishment and he is a former Governor running for Mayor. It is based on a single issue above all others. A former Democrat Governor not with the establishment!
It is a non partisan race so he has support from across the board except the "good old boys" (Sen. Inouye) Unions, and the very expensive Rail supporters. This race means a possible break of power in Hawaii by the insiders and power brokers. Special interest mostly for the Rail project, have spent large sums of money for negative campaigns usually frowned upon in this kicked back and Aloha state. Rail developers are poised to make billions from a public project that is to expensive for a small city like Honolulu, even though construction has already started and has been halted by two separate rulings by local and federal courts. The construction companies are getting millions for waiting to get the next go ahead that could take years. So the taxpayers are screwed any way but much more so if it continues to be built ( starting 20 miles outside the city and not inside out).
That is where former Democrat Governor Cayetano is running to stop the project. That and the expensive EPA ruling on sewers and regular city cost go up with out a desire for 20% tax increase to pay for Rail.
It is definitely a new era for Hawaii and with another former woman Republican governor running for Senate in a Democrat state that supports the president as a local at about 60%.
With so much money spent on elections this state has no doubt when election day is and new GOTV for supporters are sure to help the overall numbers of voters. I was called twice already.
Illinois
1. Cook County, 43rd Ward, Chicago, IL
Went to the polling place at 11:00 am and it took about one half hour to vote. One of the confusing things that has happened this year is that most of the Chicago wards were redistricted so some people have to go to different polling places from the last election. This caused several people to be upset.
I have lived here for 10 years and this is the 1st time that I saw Republican signage only at my polling place. I walked by another polling place and there was no signage at all. This is a major happening in this highly Democratic precinct. During the last national election my polling place was swamped with Democratic signage. And in my ward for the 1st time in many years we had all Republicans for the Republican election judge positions. And another major miracle there was a Romney Ryan sign in someone's front yard. In my 6 block area I have seen only 3 Obama Biden signs. On buses and in the subways I have seen about 5 Obama buttons/shirts/hats in the past few weeks. Last time Obama items were everywhere and worn by just about everyone. This is an area of big apartment/condo buildings and brownstones so the population is fairly concentrated.
For the first time in my life I volunteered doing phone calls for the Republican Party. I did those calls in Chicago at an Illinois Republican office and I saw a diverse group of volunteers. I am cautiously optimistic that this may be the start of a true two-party initiative in Chicago.
2. Skokie, IL
Fairview School was very slow mid day. My sense among friends is the Jewish vote is not enthusiastic about Obama, and David Mamet struck a nerve. Fairview is adjacent to two Hebrew schools. There were very few Obama signs in a heavily, heavily Democrat area.
If Obama has a cold in Skokie, he's going to have pneumonia in Wisconsin and Ohio.
Indiana
1. Massive deficits of ballots at multiple polling places-was just on the local news-WSBT in South Bend, IN. And, redistricting lead to massive confusion on location of polling places! News Reporter even said this could really have led to people giving up! Multiple investigations going on with election officials to determine what happened with the ballot deficits. Possibly Voter Suppression OR poor-planning for a record turnout? I haven't heard numbers on turnout yet. Bad situation in South Bend, IN! I add that this is an important area for HOT Senate race with Joe Donnelly and Richard Mourdock!
2. Voted at 9:00am and was told by the staff we got the LAST TWO "I voted" stickers!!! We're told those are the last 2 in the county and she had never seen them go so fast!!! Bloomington, because of the university is predominantly dark blue. Not sure what this means.
Kentucky
Even in conservative Northern Kentucky, my two Romney-Ryan yard signs have been stolen. After the first one went missing I moved the second further up in the yard and it still disappeared a few days ago.
Massachusetts
1. Polls packed. My wife voted at 10:15 a.m. and called to tell me how crowded it was. I just voted at 430PM and it was the most jammed I've ever seen. We use paper ballots and when they are submitted you can see how many ballots were received in that precinct. Based on the numbers I saw, town turnout is 65-70%! I've never seen anything remotely close to that. I saw the town clerk and asked her how she viewed the turnout. She said, "Incredible, incredible!"
2. Good sized crowd. Really seemed to be a Republican majority, in Ma. believe it or not. Lot of excitement outside. The Romney/Ryan and Scott Brown placard holders were all smiles and very active by waving and greeting all newcomers as well as people coming and going from the polls. I agree that it has the feel of something big happening, of being part of something historic. Oh how I hope so. God bless America.
Michigan
1. I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula just outside of Marquette, in Negaunee Township. I went to the polling location at 2pm Eastern and waited in line for about 30 minutes. I have never had to wait in line, I'm not sure of the population here. This is a heavy union area, with two major iron ore mines. Turnout was like I have never seen, this is the 3rd presidential election I have participated in. I cast my ballot for Romney/Ryan and America!
2. Voted today in Farmington Hills MI waiting 1hr 10 min. tons of Romney/Ryan signs just past the 100' mark but not a SINGLE OBAMA SIGN! In 2008 there was a sea of Obama signs at that polling place with a few McCain signs.
3. I voted around noon. On the way to the voting poll, I saw lots of Romney/Ryan signs. I did not see one Obama sign. There were 20 people ahead of me. By 1pm, there was no line. Also I am Catholic, my head pastor lived through communism, went to an underground seminary, and has prepared us parishioners to vote against Obama. He has even gone so far, last Sunday after mass when he greeted us out, he wore a Romney/Ryan pin. Also he has shown 2016 at least twice at Church and has shown at least five times "Grinding America Down, Agenda 21". My Church is a major influencer because it has at least two masses per a day for the week, five masses per day on weekend, and people drive an hour away from all over Michigan just to go to mass here. God Bless America!!!
4. I live in the small town of Whitmore Lake, Mi., population about 8500. I have lived in southeastern Michigan for the past 24 years. On the way to our polling place, we passed by the lake that is the namesake of the town, a drive we do every day. There, standing in the water at it's edge was an American Bald Eagle looking straight at us. I have never seen an eagle in this area of the country. It was as though Providence was telling us, "good job, I've got your back."
5. I was voter number 300 in Cascade, MI precinct 3, there were lines outside the building. People seemed very excited. There was no funny business, just a bunch of hard working white collar people voting for Romney/Ryan!!!!! I just wish all of Michigan voted like West Michigan and we could have more elected officials like Justin Amash that actually do their job, and work for the people not against the people.
6. Polls opened at 7:00am, and I got there at 7:20. There had to be 200+ people in line at that point, and it had only let up a little at 8:40 when I left after voting. It's a long ballot this year in MI, but everyone was surprised by the turnout. Strangely, there are still lots of Obama signs around here, but the enthusiasm is far less than 2008. We'll be praying all day. My wife just finished voting – took her an hour+ to get through line as well. It's a new polling station, so they don't quite have everything figured out (entrance was at the back of the building at an *unmarked* door), but they were working hard to correct issues and move people through.
Minnesota
1. Voted at 7:00am at one of the most liberal precincts in the People's Socialist Republic of Duluth. The line was all the way out the door, but it always it for general elections every two years so there's not much to read from that. I have a feeling that Romney will win the electoral college fairly easily and has a chance to win Minnesota for the first time in 1972!
2. We live about an hour south of the Twin Cities in a small town north of Rochester. Our polling place opened at 8 am. We voted at 9:30 am in a room with about 2 dozen 'booths', almost all in use, no line. Everything went very smoothly (no ID required). My paper ballot was #336 in a town of only about 3300 population. Usually when I vote before noon in an election here, I am number 86 or something less. It looks like a heavier than usual turnout here but I have no clue as to which way the wind blows. I see no yard signs for either candidate. There is, however, a sign along the highway between here and Rochester a sign that reads:
OBAMA
UFF DA !!
Missouri
We live in Ozark, Missouri. This morning we arrived at the First Baptist Church, our polling place a few minutes after 9:00 a.m.. There were so many cars I thought they were having a church service. They weren't. It was all the people who came to vote. We've never seen this many people voting on election day in all our years of living here. The line was quite long, but everything went smoothly. We drove out at 9:32 and went to our regular workout session in Springfield. Everyone I know who works out at the same time I do reported exactly the same phenomena - long lines, lots of people, all running smoothly, apparently more voters than usual. When we drove past the church on our way home around 11:30, the parking lot was still packed and people were streaming in and out. It's the most amazing turnout I've seen in my lifetime. I'm 67 this month and have voted in every election as soon as I was able to vote.
Montana
1. Went to the polls about 12:30 in small town southwest Montana. Very steady traffic - even had to wait a few minutes for a voting booth, which is unusual here. Important Senate race as well as a referendum to opt out of Obamacare as a state! Lots of energy, lots of excitement about the opportunity to vote!
2. Busiest I have seen voting places in six years. But being in Bozeman, it’s mostly (reluctant, but not vocal) Obama supporters. Also, do not be surprised if Tester beats Rehberg by a small margin. There are Tester signs everywhere.
Praying for a Romney victory.
New Hampshire
Just talked to my Dad in Rochester New Hampshire. He and my mom, as well as my sisters and brother in-law are independents and voted for Obama in 2008, all of them are voting Romney. My dad says he has never seen this many people turn out to the polls. He said the poll worker told him they had more people vote before noon then voted in all of the primaries combined. My mom reports their catholic church peppered the driveway with Romney signs. My brother who lives up north and will vote for Obama sent a note saying the priest read the Bishop's letter at church Sunday and he wondered how people received it. Explained the Black Panthers in Philly to my dad who said no person with a night stick is going to keep anyone from voting. Let's hope dad is right, he thinks the silent majority is ready to be heard. Peace to all.
New Jersey
1. Here at Rutgers University, home to some 35k+ students, the college has set up polling places for the students to vote at. I saw 6 people in line. There's your youth turnout.
2. The NJ governor’s plan to let residents displaced by the hurricane vote by emailed provisional ballot sounds good, but I'm a displaced NJ resident trying to vote from out-of-state and I've been trying without success to obtain a ballot to vote in Essex county for the last 2 days. The clerk’s office phone and fax have been continuously busy (I've called easily 100 times). The email address to submit your ballot application (info@essexclerk.com) sends you a bounceback email that says the mailbox is full. The fax number (which is not listed on the website anwhere) is also busy.
I emailed the DOS NJ Elections (NJ.Elections@sos.state.nj.usoffice) yesterday to complain about the clerk’s inability to receive applications and to request an alternative email address and they replied with the clerk’s personal Hotmail account (cj_durkin@hotmail.com). I sent my application there yesterday. Still no response. I’ve called and emailed many times today with no response.
For your vote to count the clerk must send you a provisional ballot and then you need to have it signed, scanned and emailed back to the clerk by 8pm today. This whole process was obviously thrown together with no planning and no coordination with the county clerks’ offices. The Essex county clerk’s office still says you can’t apply by email or fax unless you’re in the military. The clerk's office can't begin to handle the demand and there's nowhere else to go. I tried the NJ office of elections, the governor's office, NJVOTER and they all say to keep calling the county clerks office.
It looks like I'm going to lose my right to vote due to Hurrican Sandy and the county clerk's incompetence.
New York
1. Arrived at 7:00am. Mostly Obama supporters in my neighborhood of 47%'ers. Total confusion as we were instructed we could vote without being in logs by filling out an "affidavit". People who have lived in same building for 20+ years found that their address was no longer in the system. No instructions on how to fill out ballot, however someone said if you check box vs. color it in, it won't count. Romney's going to win today, but this is definitely not his hood.
2. I was out about 8:00am to vote on Long Island, NY in Massapequa Park. I am in NY's 29th district. The atmosphere was quite vibrant from the voters (not so much the election officials). There were no lines but there was a steady stream of voters heading in and out over the 30 minutes I was there. I did not notice any shenanigans, but what I despise about the Scantron voting is that when you slide your ballot through the machine, it does not confirm the person you voted for (Mitt Romney in my case), it just thanks you for your vote. Cautiously, I believe Mitt Romney will do quite well in our area based on overheard conversations between voters but it is still liberal NY.
North Carolina
My wife and I voted at about 2 pm today. We arrived at the poll and found NO ONE in line. A poll worker told me that our precinct has 1800 registered voters and that as of about 2 pm, over 1600 had voted. Our precinct is, by my estimate, probably greater than 80% Republican. If that kind of Republican turnout holds throughout the country, I am excited.
Ohio
1. I am in Hinckley, OH, Medina County, northeastern part of the state. Our town has a population of about 6,500 and we are 75% rural.
People appeared both determined and entusiastic. For a small town the polling place was full. My precinct is the most rural and sparsely populated so there was no wait for us.
I vote at a church and every election the 'church ladies' have a bake sale. All the baked goods were gone when we arrived at 3:00. That's rare! The ladies noted turn out throughout the day was much heavier than the mid-term election and the 2008 election.
No funny business, however, there were 2 poll observers. They stood quietly and occasionally appeared to note something on a clip board. Seems odd to waste the time on our small town when Cleveland and all its corruption are just north of us. Today was the first time I have ever seen any of the Amish voting.
2. My Name is Evan and I am a soldier in the U.S. Army. I never trusted mail-in absentee ballots so I drove home so that I could cast my vote in person at the Early Voting Station in downtown Toledo. I arrived around 10 A.M. and there was a small line coming out the door. I was lucky to find a parking space fairly close to the building. As I walked up there were people demonstrating but they were promoting the local issues on the ballot such as the levies for our metroparks and our libraries. A young woman in her 20's attempted to hand me a campaign card that was specific to the democratic ticket and I politely declined. Before going in I briefly chatted with some of the folks about the various issues on the ballot to help inform my decisions. Even got a chance to speak with a former member of the city council who was now running for the Office of the County Recorder, a Republican and a name with whom I was familiar.
It was quite surprising as I entered to see that the line was snaking around and there were about 100 people in the lobby waiting to vote. The demographic was about 50/50 all around: men/women, white/black.
Toledo is a predominantly Democrat city, but as seen all over the country, there were far more Romney/Ryan signs than Obama signs (and poor Joe, didn't even get his name on the sign, though its almost fitting as Obama has been all about Me, Me, Me...). I waited for about 1 1/2 hours to vote. Once I got to the check in table i was asked who I was, and I offered up my Military I.D. and was promptly told by the lady working that she couldn't take it, I told her "That's o.k. I'm going to show it to you anyway." I was given a clipboard with a form to fill out and then jumped in the next line which would get me my access card to use the e-voting machines. While standing in this line I noticed there were some campaign materials in some of the
paper ballot privacy booths and I called over one of the workers to let him know, and he quickly gathered them up and threw them away. They printed out a little sticker with my voter information on it and I signed the line confirming it. I cast my vote and smiled as the little paper roll scrolled by confirming each of my choices. By the time I left just before noon, the line was out the door and forming down the sidewalk.
3. Citizen Journalist on the ground in Whitehall Ohio reports there is only a five minute wait to vote in this heavily Democrat precinct. The photo was taken at polling place 22001a, a wedding and event center at 5:15 EST. The citizen journalist also said, "the parking lot was pretty empty and the place is quiet." Only one person was in line at 5:30 p.m.
4. I just voted in North Royalton, OH, it’s a smaller suburb of Cleveland on the very southernmost edge of Cuyahoga County. The polling station was busy but efficient, no long waits in the lines but a very steady, constant flow of middle-upper class suburbanites casting their vote. The ballots were the paper, fill in the bubble types, which I found immensely reassuring. I don't know how those around me voted, but here in this part of Cuyahoga County, the Romney/Ryan signs outpace the Obama/Biden signs by a ratio of something like 6:1 it seems. Keep voting everyone, call your friends and make sure they get out and vote too. We can make this happen!
5. Live in a small, rural county in East Central Ohio. Huge turnout at polls. 30 minute wait to vote and the poll ladies said it had been that way since 6:00a.m. Have a County Sheriff's election which will drive a lot of democrats to the polls. However, the democrats even tend to be conservative in this county. McCain came here in the last days of his campaign. My democrat friends seem resigned to the fact that Romney has this county in the bag. We shall see...
6. Last election I arrived at 6:15am and was about 10th in line. Same time this morning I was about the 40th. Once the doors opened I was done within a half an hour. The line outside had grown to around 100 by then. The crowd was very civil and in a good mood.
7. Granville, Ohio. Small college town about 35 miles east of Columbus. 6:45am. Large crowd (for a small college town). Waited in line about 40 minutes to get to our precinct. Enthusiastic crowd – mostly commuters on their way to work in Columbus. No issues, except for the Presbyterian Church where we vote decided it was okay to have an anti-fracking sign up on the wall. Ugh! Liberals.
8. Columbiana, Ohio, 20 minutes south of Youngstown. 6:36 am parking lot full, line to the door. I voted ballot number 20, line was longer on my way out.
9. Got to polling location at 6:45am (polls open at 6:30am). I would guess there were about 75-100 voters either already casting votes or waiting in line. Crowd was 60-40 AA. Walked right in around noon in 2008. Side note: noticed an Obama campaign poster taped to the outside of a classroom door (location is a Columbus Public elementary school) while in line. Went back after voting to snap a pic and it had been removed. At least SOMEBODY knew the rules even if the person who hung it didn't.
10. Voted at 6:45am this morning in the city of Delaware (just north of Columbus). Heavily Republican area and voting is heavy...waited ½ hour and I usually don't have to wait when I get to my polling place that early. When I saw the parking lot full when I got the poll, I thought to myself "Republican Surge!"
Pennsylvania
1. State Line, PA (Antrim Township, Pennsylvania)
People were very, very serious but one man told me he was voting "against O bama to get revenge for the last four years!"
Parking lot full and traffic inside/outside polls moving.
Turnout at 11am was 40%--turnout at 3pm was 80%--doing about 10% of the registered voters per hour (over 1500 voters registered).
Highest rate in memory for an area that gets about 75% usually.
2. Waynesboro, PA
I had to wait until my kids were home from school so I hope I am not too late. They go with me every year. My district is small rural district. I always go between 4 and 5 and never have to wait in any line. This year I stood online for twenty minutes. It was cold but I planned ahead for a wait. There were two ppl (husband and wife) handing out Dem lit. NO ONE would take any and they were receiving not very nice comments. Everyone had their ID out before it was requested EXCEPT one woman who quite obviously was intending to not show hers and cause a scene. She was booed and sent away with a shameful head hang. Quite apparent nothing but Conservatives in this room. I have high hopes for PA!
3. York county PA expecting more then 70% turnout....thats huge considering it is normally around 43% and leans heavy Republican.
4. I was the most enthusiastic voter. I said "HI” to everyone, and wished everyone a great day. I swear I was skipping...no fishy business. There was a gentleman outside of the Fire Hall supporting/representing the Romney/Ryan ticket. I didn’t see any Democratic presence.
5. Butchered deer leg left at Romney Victory Center in Wexford, PA near Pittsburgh last night. All Romney signs were stolen. McCandless Township Police are onsite now investigating.
6. Just voted in Tunkhannock PA (near Scranton). Small, but steady, stream of voters. NO Black Panthers or Obama (or Casey) signs. I've only seen ONE Obama sign in months, and even that says "2012". How can you trust a guy who won't even put his name on his own signs?
7. Radnor Township, western suburban Philadelphia. Showed up at the precinct 10 minutes before the 7:00 open. Very long line; once inside waited 50 minutes to vote. A predominately Catholic neighborhood; sensed an air of excitement and enthusiasm; lots a Romney signs in the neighborhood.
8. When I voted, I checked to see if they had received my father's absentee ballot and it was marked on the register that they had. The woman in front of me didn't show her ID, but I proudly did. The electronic voting machine worked fine and registered my votes properly. Voting IS the best revenge.
9. Voted for Romney/Ryan this morning in Northeastern PA. Town of Mountain Top, Rice Township in Luzerne County. Lines were longer than usual. There was no funny business. Line was quiet and orderly. There was a van with a Bob Casey/Obama billboard sitting in the parking lot near the line with a guy seemingly just observing the line. My feeling is that this area has become more and more enthusiastic about Romney. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
10. My daughter voted at 10:00am at 16th and Jefferson (in Northeast Philly). She said there were more workers than voters.
11. I live in York County, PA and arrived at the polling station at 6:55 AM, or 5 minutes before the polls opened. I vote in every election so have a good gauge of voter turnout. Typically I either walk up to the building and directly inside to the registration desk without any wait, or maybe 2-3 minutes tops. This morning there was a long line outside the building and when the doors opened it took me about ½ hour to get to the registration desk and vote. While I was waiting in line the man next to me said he has lived here the last 20 years and he has never seen lines like this. As I was leaving cars were beginning to park on the road as the parking lot was overflowing. For those who don't know, York County is Republican stronghold and Romney needs high voter turnout to overcome Philadelphia and nearby suburb. York, PA is the nation's first Capital as well !
South Carolina
Spartanburg, SC- Arrived to vote at 9:10 am with my spouse (first time she has voted) in my Gadsden flagged car. Approximately 75 people in line. Very quiet and orderly here. In and out in about 30 minutes, Romney bumper stickers everywhere. Looking forward to the concession call tonight.
Texas
1. I went to my polling location here in Richland Hills, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth. Not a huge turnout, maybe 20 people. No problems whatsoever. Poll workers are very helpful. This is a very, well...extremely conservative area. No Obama signs anywhere. In fact, driving around the Metroplex I have seen only Romney/Ryan and Ted Cruz signs. Thanks for making these reports possible. Breitbart is awesome.
2. During early voting I saw one incident of potential intimidation. I already wrote about it. http://tinyurl.com/bajpunn The incident took place at the Bexar County Courthouse and County Administration Complex in Downtown San Antonio. My new wife and I were finalizing the legal paperwork of our marriage, filing the completed license with "Vital Statistics". The building was also an early voting site. The man outside seemed unconcerned with breaking election law with his campaigning and harassing people as they entered the building. The security personnel did not confront him. He seemed worried only after I made my voice "overheard" as I discussed his crime with my wife while leaving. I did complain as I entered the building, though. I would call this relatively minor. However, incidents such as this can aggregate to a larger problem. Texas requires a photo ID to vote. The voter registration card even states that the card and a valid, government issued photo ID BOTH must be presented at the polling station. Precinct 4066, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at the polling station at Woodlake Elementary School, is refusing to check IDs. My wife attempted to show her IDs (Drivers License and Concealed Carry Permit). They refused. They not only told her they were not needed, when she presented them, they refused to look, stating "we don't agree with that law". San Antonio is run by a largely socialist government. Julian Castro is the Mayor. Many on the city council are his cronies. I am unsure what party provided the precinct captain or election judge or volunteers. This neighborhood has a larger percentage of Romney/Ryan signs in front of homes than Obama/Biden. There are many enthusiastic Romney supporters in my neighborhood. Only one person was openly brave enough to post an Obama/Biden sign. There was one Romney/Ryan sign vandalized. Evidently, the perpetrators picked the wrong house as they had a gun pointed at them in the middle of their crime, and fled. Other than that, no real incidents in the neighborhood itself. Conservatives are pretty enthusiastic. Independents and liberals seem to be tired of the whole election process. Those are just my observations.
Virginia
1. I live in Williamsburg, Virginia. There are two precincts in Williamsburg City (distinguished from the York and James City County districts), and both saw long lines develop as early as 6:30 a.m. On my way to work I voted at the Stryker Community Center near the historic Colonial Williamsburg area. The Obama people plastered about fifty Obama signs on the front lawn. These were ringed with Romney signs. Reps from the RNC and DNC were there, but the fellow who was the busiest talking with people was from the RNC. When I drove by the Center on my way home from work around 3 p.m. the place was packed with even more people with parking spaces growing farther and farther away. Although I had stood in a long line, I was in and out of the poll in fifteen minutes. The ballot was simple, and included a chance to vote on a constitutional amendment to the Virginia constitution, one that would limit the state's power to seize private property via eminent domain. I certainly checked that one!
2. Centreville, VA
Arrived at the polling place at 4:00 and the parking lot was pretty full. There were a large number of pollsters in lines to vote, and I noticed that a majority of the voters had the Republican ballot in their hands. It seemed a little apprehensive and quiet, but I felt a bit of uncertainty around me. It seemed like people were waiting for a judgment to be handed down, and they weren't sure if they were going to be found free or guilty. I talked to the Republican guys at the front of the polling place, and they felt that the turnout was much better than the 2008 election, they felt that it would be a pretty good chance for victory at our location. They had told me that Obama won at our polling place in 2008. The poll observers were doing a good job, and no funny business was happening.
3. Roanoke, VA
At polling station near 9 am. My goodness, I've NEVER EVER seen a crowd like this!! (I'm 59 yrs. old) The school gymnasium was getting almost full of people (instead of lines of about 15 people in the past).
Process was smooth, though, so lines moved well. Just shows how MANY are voting for it to move well, and still have large crowd. Maybe this is just a reflection of "South Roanoke" - which would highly reflect a
definitely more Republican area. Again, a crowd at a level not see before by quite a bit. (I have voted in every presidential election).
4. At polling station near 9:00am. My goodness, I've NEVER EVER seen a crowd like this!! (I'm 59 yrs. old) The school gymnasium was getting almost full of people (instead of lines of about 15 people in the past). Process was smooth, though, so lines moved well. Just shows how MANY are voting for it to move well, and still have a large crowd. Maybe this is just a reflection of "South Roanoke" – which would highly reflect a definitely more Republican area. Again, a crowd at a level not seen before by quite a bit. (I have voted in every presidential election)
5. I live in Aquia Harbour in Stafford, VA. I got to the polling station (within my community) when it opened at 6:00am to find a line out of the door and wrapped around the building. I was the 105th person to vote at 6:30am. By the time I left the line and crowd had grown. On my way home I heard the local news radio station reporting "record turnout" at polling places all over northern VA and DC area. I have never been more excited to vote.
6. McLean, VA – over one hour wait. Democrats and Republicans handing sample ballots. Very quiet. More people took the democrat sample ballot.
7. Large turnout but everybody was very polite and the line was moving along well. Overheard several stories about this being the first election for some people but it was to important this time to not vote. No funny business to report. Overall the poll looked like it was running very efficiently.
8. Im 24 this is my second election. My first was a absentee ballot as I was off at College. This was my first time going to vote in person and it was INCREDIBLE. The people in charge said the line formed at 530am for a the ballot to open at 6am. I waited 40 minutes and was told this was the shortest the line had been all day. Someone yelled out "God Bless America" and the crowd erupted in cheers. It was heavily pro-Romney and I swelled with pride being there. Definitely a feeling I won't soon forget.
Washington
1. Reporting from North Olympic Peninsula, Washington state. As of yesterday, our “REJECT R-74” (R-74 calls for the legalization of same-sex marriage, the redefinition of marriage) signs have shone bright red and unmolested for weeks all over the county. But soon after dark last night, all these signs disappeared from my neighborhood, leaving even the Romney and other GOP signs standing. So, a careful pruning. They didn’t take the whole sign, but removed the plastic sign from the metal structure—probably for portability and quick disposal in a nearby garbage can. Any reports of conservatives/Republicans stealing or molesting liberal/Dem signs? Just thought I’d ask.
2. Thurston County Auditor's Office, Olympia, WA (I live in Lacey, WA)
I work on Fort Lewis, WA. On post, the tension over this election is more than palpable. We all know what's at stake, especially having already gone through many cuts, and denying many re-enlistment. Despite a discouraging (yet consistent since I joined in 2002) apathy among many lower-enlisted soldiers, there are TONS of anti-Obama bumper stickers and Romney/Ryan stickers, with a significant sprinkling of Gasden Flags and anti-Socialist quips. All are too plentiful to count. Typically the only Obama stickers I see are on civilian worker/contractor vehicles, mainly local people. Local cities around base have tons of signs for Rob McKenna
and Romney, and the ballot initiatives are a hot-topic too. Around base, the most common sign is against State Referendum 74 (marriage equality). Thurston County is heavily split, Olympia is a hippie-haven with heavy Democratic turnout, as well as unusual 3rd party support (I.E. Green, Peace & Freedom), but the surrounding rural and suburban cities are pretty heavily pro-Romney/McKenna. Even the vast majority of state newspapers have surprisingly endorsed McKenna over Inslee, who's been slammed by local media but polls well nonetheless. As a platoon leader, I can't tell my soldiers who to vote for, though we sometimes debate issues for fun. My main drive given their profession is to push them to vote, and afford them the time to.
I had to replace my mail-in/drop box ballot after it was damaged on Nov 5th. Drove to the Thurston County Auditor's office, where they also have ballot marking machines and drop-boxes to get a replacement, and it was surprisingly fast and easy, and the replacement ballot had a label affixed with my name and address on it. I wasn't required to show ID. If I had enough information on my neighbor, I could have requested his. All they wanted was my address. I was very happy when they happily offered to mark me active-duty in my registration since I wasn't currently, which will require my ballot to be sent much earlier.
West Virginia
1. I live in a small town on the Ohio River, across the bridge from Marietta, OH. The place was packed! Lots of veterans, lots of seniors, and even some first-timers. I checked my touch screen as well as the paper tabulation running up the left side for accuracy and had no problems. We're in coal country and see barges running up and down the Ohio River daily. I think the vote will go to Romney in this town!
2. What a wonderful feeling to be able to express my American freedom!! However just thought you'd like to hear this story. My husband and I, along with our daughter and 3 grandchildren went into the polls earlier. Yay! Husband voted, I voted! Sure felt great!!!! Lovin it!!!!!! My daughter Angella however (who voted in the Presidential election in 2008), was told she was not a registered voter. Two very nice women working the polls tried to help by making a phone call to see why it was showing up that Angella was not a registered voter. They were told she just doesn't show up as registered. After 15/20 min of looking for her name, and ready to hang up, told my daughter there was nothing anyone could do and told her to vote provisional. Angella asked if she could speak to the person on the phone. After talking to her for 5 min....well, what do you know!!!!! Amazingly they found her name!!! But all is still not well. Angella was told that she had to go vote in Bridgeport, WV, where she was registered, even after having turned in 3 change of addresses. So to make this short, my daughter is now on her way from Walker to Bridgeport to vote. Glad it worked out for her but I'm now wondering what is going on and if this happened to Angella who would not let it drop, insisting she is a registered voter....how many people are out there that just did not vote because they were told they were not registered. I asked one woman working the poll if this happened to anyone else today and she said well....not exactly. She said some people think they are registered when they aren't. Oh please tell me how one would think they are registered only to find out they aren't?
Wisconsin
1. I live in the 2nd district of Wisconsin. My wife voted at approximately 10AM and said there was only about 20 people there. I went after work and voted at about 3:30. There were a total of 25 people in the polling place (not counting the workers), about half of which were 1st time voters registering (in WI you can register at the poll).
As I was inserting my paper ballot into the machine, I noticed that I was number 847 for the day in my ward. I would have to say I was kind of surprised at the low turnout, but then again it is cold and rainy.
Everything at the polling place was flowing smoothly and I didn't notice any attempts to do anything nefarious.
2. Voting at a rural Wisconsin precinct. Voted just before noon and was 215th person. This precinct has about 500 registered voters and is heavily Republican (3 or so candidates running unopposed). The polling workers said they expected a rush at noon and another after working hours (open till 8 p.m.). Almost half had voted before either of the "big" rushes began. Looks to be a strong turnout for conservatives in rural Wisconsin!
3. I am in West Allis, Wisconsin, Ward 21. Everything looks on the up and up. I was there 7:00am and was number 75 in a very small ward. The line was very long, much longer than during the Scott Walker recall. I did not feel people were enthusiastic, just determined. Like “let's get this done."
4. Short lines at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Quite a few "I Voted" stickers around campus and in classes, but also quite a few Romney Ryan t-shirts. Dane county and campus are still deep blue, but Romney is giving Obama a real challenge for the youth vote in Wisconsin.
Wyoming
Wanted to pass on about my voting experience in Riverton, Wyoming this am. I got up to get my three kids (12 YO twins and a 6 YO) ready for school and they all asked me who I was voting for. I asked them who they wanted me to vote for.
Each of them said Romney!