Elections

Election Day Draws High Voter Turnout in Eastern Prince William County

The presidential race is the main incentive for many to vote in this election.

By Rachel Leon
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November 6, 2012

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Fred Lynn Middle School in Woodbridge

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Update, 4:20 p.m.:

By about 3 p.m., the lines at some Lake Ridge precincts were beginning to dwindle. At McCoart, 1,371 out of 2,788 registered voters had voted by 3:10 p.m., not counting the absentee ballots. Election officer Nicholas Handres projected a turnout of 2,105 voters in the precinct by the time the polls closed.

"Hold me to that," he said, smiling.

At Chinn, 1,235 out of 2,696 registered voters had voted by 3:20 p.m. not counting the absentee ballots. Election officers would not give a projected total number of voters for the day.

At Fred Lynn in Woodbridge, the line had only grown longer. 935 out of 3,259 registered voters had voted by 3:41 p.m., not counting the absentee ballots, and election officers would give no projection for the total number of voters for the day.

Original story:

After the paltry voter turnout in eastern Prince William County for the Republican primaries on June 12, voters are turning out in force for the presidential election today.

In Lake Ridge, precinct parking lots were crowded, with drivers circling the McCoart building parking lot several times before giving up and parking their vehicles against the yellow curb. 512 people had voted in the McCoart precinct by 9:20 a.m., out of 2,788 registered voters. 451 absentee ballots had been issued.

On June 12, only 81 out of 2683 registered voters in the McCoart precinct had voted by 1 p.m., and election officers had projected a total turnout of 144.

At Chinn Park Regional Library, 478 out of 2,696 registered voters had voted by 9:30 a.m., and 279 absentee ballots had been issued. On June 12, only 41 out of 2590 registered voters had voted by 12:30 p.m., and election officers had projected a total turnout of about 100 voters.

In Woodbridge, at Fred Lynn Middle School, the line stretched around the room, out the building, along the sidewalk, and around the parking lot. As of about 10 a.m., 402 out of 3,259 registered voters in the precinct had voted, with 248 absentee ballots issued. As of noon on June 12, only 12 voters had voted.

Need some more information on the candidates or the proposed Virginia constitutional amendments? Check out the election guides for Lake Ridge - Occoquan, Woodbridge, and Dale City.

Related Topics: Occoquan District, Voter Turnout, Woodbridge District, and elections 2012

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Wendy

11:04 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

It is quite ridiculous at Woodbridge Middle School to stand for 3 hours when 3 of 5 machines are working, you need at least 10 machines per place in a battleground state. I have to go back later today and vote. Its very annoying. Also, candidates acosting you as you walk up. I like the party ballots because they just hand them to you, but come on.

Lauren Jost

11:06 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Wow! Wendy, what time did you get in line to vote?

Kerry

6:48 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Lakeridge Middle has had a two hour plus wait all day and still does. At 730am I experienced 1 hr 45 min. At 215pm husband experienced 2 hr 35 min wait. Parents have given up on voting. They went by at 4p and at 620p and line is still out the door and its long inside...they are in their 70s

Wendy

11:28 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

9 am

Wendy

11:29 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

also the poll workers are really rude - even ruder if you are holding a specific color of paper for the ballot guide of the party you are supporting.

jess

11:54 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

long lines at Bethel this morning, too. Got in line at 7, voted at 9. But everyone was polite and in good spirits.

Lauren Jost

11:55 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Jess,
Great to hear!

James Phelps

11:57 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Not as long at Occoquan, though still 45 minutes. Only three voting machines there. I agree that this seems like too few for a presidential elections. Really, given the reality of our voting needs, more machine seem not to much to ask.

Fred Van Doren

12:50 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

When voter turn out is high the Dems win. I wasn't so sure yesterday that we would win Virginia, today am I. As I stood in line for two hours (4 times longer then 2008) I took notice of the demographics of the voters. If I had to guess I would say it was 80% Dem demographics. I was outside talking with one of the Republican party leaders. I asked him to looked at the line of people waiting and tell me what type of demographics he saw. I got a kind of scowl. I actually felt compelled to hug the guy,

Walker Merryman

1:41 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

You people complaining need to put things in perspective. Consider the life and death plight of folks in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and then tell me again about your hour long wait in line.

renee

2:25 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Great statement Walter, I was thinking the same thing , complain complain complain, gee wizzzzzzzzzzzzz, people never ease to amaze me .

Cindy Jones

1:53 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Line not bad at Belmont Elementary School. 50 minutes at 11 AM. Suspect as it gets later the lines will be longer. The good news is people are out voting and that's what matters.

Mary Taylor

2:45 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

We were in line for 45 minutes at Belmont. The workers were nice and polite. We've voted in Woodbridge for 44 years and have never seen a line before. Great to see so many out voting.

Rob Cunningham

6:42 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Potomac View ES had about a 40 minute wait this morning. Staff were friendly and effective but there were only three voting machines.

Kimberly

7:15 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Less than an hour wait at Hylton HS (arrived just after 3pm). Two out of six machines were down, but it wasn't too bad. Other than the downed machines, it was well organized, courteous volunteers, & plenty of parking close to entry & exit.

Dan

7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

I got to Springwoods at 5:05 and finished about 2 hours later. The lines were wrapped around the hallways and gym.

Lauren Jost

7:58 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Wow! Thanks for the comments, all, seems like its a big turnout. We'll know for sure when the numbers come out.

Birgit Campana

11:59 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Went to Potomac HS and the lines there were longer than at any election I have ever seen. I actually teared up to see how committed everyone was to cast their vote. My faith us renewed. No reason to complain, it was a beautiful sight!! I even had to leave and come back. Hopefully, this will be a trend and more voting machines will be installed. Bravo Virginia!!

Mark Matusof

4:50 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

At Potomac Middle School, it was almost a 4-hour line. I got in line just before 6 PM and voted at 9:45 PM. There were still a couple of hundred people behind me. Everyone was patient and in good spirits, though. The poll workers were great, they ran out to the store and were passing out coffee, water, snacks, candy, etc.