Posted on 10/29/2004 8:26:38 AM PDT by anymouse
Today is the last day for early voting and the number of Galveston County residents who cast their ballots has already surpassed the previous presidential election.
As of Wednesday, more than 48,400 people in the county had cast their vote, compared to the approximate 44,700 who voted early during the last presidential election in 2000.
“It’s been busy,” said County Clerk Mary Ann Daigle. “We’ve already surpassed (early voting) in the last presidential election. People have been out voting and the lines have been heavy. Our phones have been ringing off the wall.”
During the first eight days of early voting in 2000, roughly 18,700 ballots were cast. In the first eight days of this election, more than 30,000 early voters made their way to the polls.
According to Daigle, a large number of limited ballots have been collected in the county, which are cast by voters who live in Galveston County and declare residency but are also registered in another county. Limited ballots restrict voters from participating in local elections, but allow them to vote in the federal election.
With an overwhelming number of residents casting their votes early this election, one local party leader anticipates the effects of early voting will outweigh those cast Nov. 2.
“I would imagine that early voting’s going to have a major impact on the outcome, just because of the shear volume of it,” said Chris Stevens, chairman of the county’s Republican Party. “By the end of (today), we will probably have close to 60,000 early voters at the rate things are going.”
Based on voting trends from past elections, Stevens predicts the Republican Party will have great success this year. According to Stevens, early voting at the north county polls has been extremely heavy compared to polls in the south part of the county, which in his opinion is a positive indicator for the Republican candidates.
“(Republicans) have always received tremendous support in the north county,” he said. “We’re expecting to sweep this election, and early voting will be a big part of that. We are expecting to take the majority of the Nov. 2 vote, but even if we don’t, then we expect to be so far ahead in early voting that it will offset any problems on Election Day.”
County Democratic Party Chairman Tony Buzbee told The Galveston County Daily News for Thursday’s editions the large number of early voters this election is due to the public’s realization that a change in administration is needed.
“I can tell you locally it’s a direct correlation to the Democrat workers in our country,” Buzbee said. “I think everyone realizes after suffering through four years of this administration, that change is needed.”
For more information about voting in Galveston County, go to www2.co.galveston.tx.us/County_Clerk.
Rachel Hunter is a reporter for the Texas City Sun. She can be reached at (409) 945-3441 ext. 37, or by e-mail at rachel.hunter@texascitysun.com.
Sounds like a good place to look for voter fruad.
Suggestion: Everyone should take one of those cheap throwaway cameras with them to the polls and actually take or pretend to take pictures of the commies standing around with demonrat signs. Then inform them you're turning their picture over to your State Attorney General. Should be great fun! Get em all lathered up.
I tried again to vote early this morning and AGAIN the line was about 2 hours long. Lots like I'll be going on Nov. 2. I like that camera idea.
Me too! I went today around 9:45 and it was a 2 hr wait. I had little ones with me, so there was no way I could wait that long.
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