Rainy weather doesn’t stop Stafford voters

STAFFORD — Every first Tuesday in November, Americans get a chance to line up and exercise their right to vote in the election of their officials. This year is no different. However, a difference stems from an amazing change in pace from the elections four years ago.

All across Stafford County, poll workers reported record turnouts, lines wrapping around corners and even people camping out in front of the polling places. Some noted many first-time voters coming out to make their voices heard.

By Tuesday morning, up to 40 percent of Virginia’s 5 million registered voters cast ballots, according to the Associated Press. That is twice the usual pace for a presidential election, according to Nancy Rodrigues of the state elections board.

Steven Apicella, former GOP chairman, was assisting at the polls in the Brooke District on Tuesday. Apicella said that when he first arrived in the morning, the line was back to the street and the atmosphere was electrifying.

Each district, he said has about 10,000 people.

“As of 10 o’clock, we have over 3,900 people who’ve voted,” he said.

In spite of the lines and rainy weather most voters and poll workers reported a generally positive feel from the crowds.

Nearby at the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, Michael Montgomery, who had been in the voting area since 5:45 a.m., said that people were lined up around the building at the beginning.

“When we got here, we saw people lined up with chairs,” said Jean Golas, a poll worker. “In 20 years of my doing this, I’ve never seen that before.” 

Joy Johnson, who was at Anne E. Moncure Elementary School, said that people were generally “rushed” when they came to vote. Many arrived with chairs to sit, she said, and there were many first-time voters at the site.

By noon, she reported an estimated 1,700 people had voted.

Bill Hoyt, who visited the Moncure location, said:  “I have never seen an election like this before, and I don’t think I ever will again. While no one’s been ecstatic… the people here have been friendly for the most part. This is really a historic event.”

Jeff Mitchell is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun.