Tuesday, November 03, 2009

HORSERACE

Not Much Waiting At Virginia Polls Today

This morning, in heavily-Democrat Yuppie Acres neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, turnout was strikingly light by comparison to last year's primary and (obviously) general elections; a bit more than the special local election held earlier this year.

Other reports from readers around Virginia:

We live in Chesterfield County, just outside of Richmond.  My wife and I showed up just before the polls opened, and a good number of people were there in the first half hour.  We are in a heavily Republican area - everyone seemed to have a smile on their face, unlike a year ago when everyone looked pretty grim.  Interesting symbolism for the campaign - the Republican table was set up under the lighted school canopy, and the lone Dem guy set up his table outside the canopy.  The sun was not up yet, so when the lights came on the Republicans were in the light and the Dems in the dark.

Closer to where I am, in what I suspect is a similarly heavily-Democratic area: 

I live in the Pentagon City area of Arlington and just voted around 7:45 a.m.  I waited over an hour at that time last November in a precinct that gave Obama 64 percent, but was able to walk right up to a booth this morning.  There was literally no line and only 3 of 6 booths were being used at the time.  It is a ghost town here.

Some readers wonder if low turnout reflects more use of absentee ballots this year. About 99,000 Virginians cast absentee this year.

But also, near Williamsburg:

I estimate that maybe 100 people will vote in this election.

But seriously.  Last year I was at my polling place at 5 am.  The line was over 100 strong and around the corner.  Today, there were 2 people in line at 5:50.  Sad, but certainly bodes well for us!

Obviously, you can't read too much into anecdotal reports, and almost every polling place shows the same pattern: morning rush, midmorning lull, lunch crowd, midafternoon slowdown, and after-work rush.

11/03 09:10 AMShare