Poll workers for the 10th precinct called today’s election turnout “fantastic” at the Amend Girl Scout Center. That precinct shared quarters with Fremont Township voters in the 25th precinct, and 10th precinct workers quickly pointed out that Fremont’s turnout had been even better than the 10th.
“They outdid us, though,” said Joan Butts, gesturing toward the Fremont workers.
The 10th precinct saw 253 voters throughout the day and, with 60 advance voters added in, a total of 313 of 589 registered voters took time to cast their ballots.
Fremont township registered close to 73 percent, when 111 advance ballots were added to the 354 votes cast today. A total of 465 people voted of the 644 registered.
The number of voters already lined up to vote at 7 a.m. today discouraged a few voters, who returned later in the day when things were calmer.
“They said they looked at the car line and decided they’d come back,” said Margaret Davidson, a 10th precinct worker.
Voting machines still were full at 6:45 p.m., 15 minutes before the polls closed.
“I put it off as long as I could,” Harold Anderson said on his way out of the building.
Another voter, Sean Otto, had different reason for making sure he made it to the center in time to cast his ballot.
“I wanted to make sure Kathleen Sebelius stayed in office,” Otto said.
Poll workers began packing up the books and equipment and bringing in the outdoor signs almost as soon as Wayne Symmonds, the last voter, walked out the door.
“I worked until 6:45 and just made it in,” he said.
“At 7 o’clock, we lock the door,” said Mary Lou Delong.
“But anyone in line can vote,” Wanda Chambers of the 25th precinct added.
The eight women working at the Girl Scout Center had been on duty since 6:15 a.m., and their work was going to stretch a bit beyond a 13-hour day.
“We’ve got to get all the machines shut down and the tapes run,” Davidson said. “We’ve still got a lot to do.”