Politics & Government

Update: Alexandria Voters Keep Precincts Hopping

Steady streams of voters at precincts across the city.

Update 12:30 p.m.

The long lines at Polk Elementary School, Cameron Station and elsewhere this morning abated a bit by lunchtime, but there may still be an after-work voting rush.

Durant Center Chief Election Officer Judy Gyllensvaan said paper ballots were proving to be very popular with voters.

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“We’re getting a lot of compliments from voters” as to how smoothly things are proceeding, she said, from the precinct close to the King Street Metro station. 

Six people had elected to use the eSlate electronic voting machines by around 11 a.m. with about 1,450 votes cast in total at the scanners at Durant.

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Gyllensvaan added that the majority of voters appeared knowledgeable about the local elections in addition to the national general election.

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Voters queued up around City Hall in Old Town on Tuesday morning to cast their vote in the federal, state and local elections.

By about 9 a.m., about 610 voters had cast their ballot along with 782 absentee ballots at the precinct in downtown Alexandria.

Chief Election Officer Jeff Herre said there had been no complaints of paper ballots this year and if anything, people expressed their support for them when considering that they would allow a paper trail should any of the races be very close.

"People appreciate a paper ballot when it comes to a recount," he said.

Herre added that he saw a good turnout on Tuesday, much better than during the Democratic primary in June, but "maybe less than 2008," he said. Herre said it was a tough call to make in comparing 2008 to 2012 in terms of voter turnout because the polling station had more volunteers and other assistance this time around.

Outside of City Hall, journalists, voters, party supporters and others braved the chilly weather.

Voter station volunteer William Kurowski had taken on the role of "dog sitter" for residents while they voted.

"I think this is about the sixth dog I've entertained this morning," he said while holding on to the leash of a chocolate lab. "But it wouldn't really be Old Town without the dogs."

The City of Alexandria is recommending that residents vote between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. if possible.

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