Murphy – Voters arrived as early as 7 a.m. on the first day of early voting Thursday. When the Cherokee County Board of Elections office opened at 8 a.m., the line for voting wrapped around the side of the building and well along the curb bordering the back parking lot of the bank next door.
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Local resident Becky Killian was the first person to arrive, but she waited in her car until a line started to form. Her original plan was to arrive at about 7:30 a.m., but she decided to arrive about 30 minutes earlier.
“I didn’t want to stand in line,” she said. “I knew who I was going to vote for.”
Killian, who always takes advantage of the early voting opportunity, said she was surprised by how long the line was.
In 2016, 7,136 Cherokee County voters voted early in the general election. On Thursday alone, 922 people voted. Director of Elections Leighsa Jones said there are about 35 absentee ballots on hold, waiting on guidance from state
Jones expected lines for the first day of early voting, considering the number of phone calls her office received leading up to the day. As the day approached, she felt like she was prepared and had plenty of people working. There were 10 voting machines set up.
Absentee voting has already doubled the 2016 count of 618 ballots cast, with 1,245 ballots tabulated as of Oct. 13. As of 2 p.m. Monday, 2,852 people had cast their vote through early voting, with 1,429 absentee ballots returned to the elections office.
Of those who voted early, 1,487 were registered Republicans, 872 were unaffiliated, 485 were Democrats and eight were registered with the Libertarian, Constitution or Green parties.
“It’s been a good bit hectic,” Jones said, finally getting a moment to eat lunch Monday. “There’s been a line non-stop.”
In past elections, the largest early voting day was about 700 people. She thinks turnout overall will be high, adding that the highest turnout she’s seen since 1995 was 60-65 percent.
“We’re glad to see it,” Jones said. “It’s been great so far.”
She said they’ve received a lot of positive feedback, with most people sharing their wait was 15-20 minutes. Voting machines have been holding up despite the increased use. An individual
people saw being taken out of the building in handcuffs one day was from the probation office upstairs, but that had nothing to do with early voting.
Pat Barton of Marble and Lula Williams of Murphy were in line to vote early because they didn’t trust mailing in an absentee ballot this year.
“I want to make sure my vote counts,” Barton said.
Williams requested an absentee ballot, but changed her mind after seeing “negative publicity” about it.
“I guess I should come and push the little button,” Williams said.
She added she’s proud military and used to doing things early.
Early voting continues until Saturday, Oct. 31. The elections office will be open until 7:30 p.m. on weekdays for early voting, until 6 p.m. Saturday and until 3 p.m. Oct. 31.
John Freeze heard it was important to vote early. He got in line about 20 minutes before the doors opened.
Sandra Roberts was in line to vote early with her husband because she wanted to be prepared.
“You never know what may happen,” she said. “We need to get our vote in.”