More than 7,000 vote early in Iredell

The majority of those casting early ballots at four One-Stop voting stations in Iredell County voted in the Democratic primary.

Although the final figures have not been tallied, Iredell County Board of Elections Director Becky Galliher said more registered voters voted in the Democratic Party’s primary. Unaffiliated voters are allowed to choose which party’s primary they participate in.

An estimated 7,314 voters took advantage of the opportunity to vote early this year.

An hour before the One-Stop site at the Election’s Office closed Saturday, there was a steady stream of traffic.

Representatives from Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign stood in the parking lot, waving signs and giving out stickers to exiting voters.

Democratic county commissioner candidate Mark Vanek was also out soliciting last-minute votes.

“I need a bullhorn,” Vanek’s wife, Hope, said as she yelled to passers-by to vote for Vanek.

Kara Fletcher, who attends college in Durham, said she came home this weekend so she could vote in the primary election.

“History is going to be made and I want to be a part of it,” she said.

Fletcher’s mother Diane agreed.

“With this election, there is going to be change,” she said.

Eric Smith came out of the Election’s Office brimming with excitement after voting.

After accepting an Obama sticker, he said everyone should vote because it is the right thing to do.

“It’s time for a change,” he said. “Everyone needs to be counted as a registered voter.”

Galliher said the polls were originally supposed to close at 1 p.m. Saturday, but they remained open to accommodate last minute voters.

The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Posted on 05/05/08 at 08:40 AM
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