Early voting area was one big mess

Seeing by the time you read this the primary results will already be known, I think it?s safe for me to tell you what the voters were saying at the polls.

Of course, I?m writing this not knowing who won and who lost or even if the most recent Sherrill Poll was anywhere near on target. However, election night gets so hectic there?s no way to saddle up and write a column even as returns are coming in, therefore you?re getting the tape-delayed version as written on Monday afternoon.

First of all, as an overall observation by voters I interviewed in the exit poll, they were not happy at all with the crush of candidates stationed outside the early voting area. Many of the folks I talked to said the area was just too compressed and crowded, some saying they even delayed voting for dread of running the candidate labyrinth. Others said the ongoing three-week campaign rally was even distracting to motorists traveling along Chancery Street.

While I respect the fire and vigor with which candidates campaigned at the polls, an end result was a crowded mess, leaving some voters with nowhere to park since some candidates had four or five cars parked in the parking areas.

I understand about wanting to get those last few votes, but getting to the polls this election was like crossing a picket line during a labor strike. Hey, voters didn?t have to tell me, I could see it for myself every day I was there polling. And yes, I stood my required 10 feet away from the poll exit and tried not to be annoying to the voters as they left.

While the candidates did observe the 100 foot rule for the most part, although they were still in shouting distance of voters when they walked in the door, I think we need to enact some control measures for August, perhaps limiting candidates to certain areas and especially limiting the vehicles they can leave parked near the polls. There were some vehicles which never left the parking lot, apparently so candidates wouldn?t lose their spots. It?s one thing to have signs, it?s another to fill the limited parking spaces with vehicles.

I don?t know if the county or state can legally do anything, but hopefully the candidates will understand this crush of signs, vehicles and people so near the polls is a big-time turn-off to voters. Plus, there were several people who ended up not voting at all because they could find no parking places.

A few people rolled down their windows as they went by me and said something about ?the big mess? and ?nowhere to park.? We need to remember that early voting is about convenience. Perhaps candidates and their supporters can park their vehicles in the far parking lot next election, thereby allowing more parking places for the voters.

I hate to dwell on the negative seeing the great way all the candidates handled themselves this primary as this was the cleanest election I can remember in a long time. If anything, this was due to zealousness on the part of candidates who wanted your vote. However, the crowding problem around the polls was the No. 1 thing voters were talking about, even more than the issues or the candidates themselves.

The way I see it, elections are about the candidates and the issues, not how inconvenient it is to get to the polls.

Duane Sherrill is a reporter for the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].