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Throughout Area, Voters Still Turning Out in Droves
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"Even when the lines were long, we really haven't found people are upset," said Dan Murphy, a spokesman for the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics. "Most people are excited to vote."
Waiting times across the region in the past week have varied from a few minutes to a few hours, but most were 30 to 60 minutes.
Wood, of Falls Church, who read a book while he was waiting to vote, said the long waits might discourage younger voters. But registrars said voters of all ages seem to take the waiting in stride, armed with the knowledge that they were avoiding possibly even longer lines Tuesday. Some passed the time by chatting with fellow voters. Others showed up yesterday in Halloween costumes.
Loudoun County General Registrar Judy Brown said her staff has accommodated several hundred people a day with waiting times averaging 10 to 20 minutes.
"It's busy. It's a steady stream. We're doing the best we can," she said. "I don't think it's awful. If you don't have the experience of waiting, you'll never remember the experience."
Millions of voters in 33 states have been able to cast ballots in person or by mail in early voting with no excuse.
But in Virginia, Maryland and the District, voters can only vote by absentee ballot if they have an excuse for why they cannot make it to the polls on Election Day, such as they will be out of town or are unable to stand in lines for long periods of time.
A proposal on the ballot this year would allow early voting in Maryland.
Murphy said many voters arriving at the District's elections office are confused about the law.
"A lot of people are not necessarily aware," he said. "But we're not turning people away."
