Early voter turnout keeps polling places busy

A random — and wholly unscientific — sampling of people exiting poll sites around town Tuesday morning had Barack Obama ahead of John McCain in the presidential race.

Approximately two thirds of those voting said that they had voted for Obama. At least one pair of Democrats crossed party lines to vote for McCain. An additional 10 percent refused to say who they voted for.

“I voted for John McCain,” Ivan Castaneda said. “He went into the service and came out a hero. I like vet heroes and feel he will do a fine job leading the country.”

Tony and Therma Lopez said they are registered Democrats but they could not vote for Obama.

“With this election and all the stuff that is going on, we decided McCain was the man to vote for,” Therma Lopez said.

Others were quick to point out they would not waver from voting along party lines.

“These last years have been ridiculous,” Mario Fernandez said. “It’s time things change. I’m ready for something different. I think Barack Obama is going to do a good job and help us.”

It was a scenario that played out across town as a record number of voters were hitting the poll sites — where, even before polls opened, people were lining up at various polling sites around town, ready to cast their vote.

“We had a lot of people — about 35 or more — outside waiting before we opened,” Joe Moreno, provisional clerk stationed at Westfield Christian Church at 1222 N. Prospect Ave., said. “Once the door opened, it was packed in here. We have three precincts and it has been steady since we opened. We’re definitely seeing a big turnout of voters.”

Though things have ran smoothly, the site did experience trouble when it was opened.

“Our machine wasn’t taking the ballots and we had to call someone from the county [elections] to come fix it,” Moreno said. “We didn’t want people to wait, so we set the ballots aside. It only took about 20 minutes and we were up and running. If people didn’t feel comfortable, they had the option to wait for the machine, but no one seemed to mind.”

Across town at the Porterville National Guard Armory, several people looked puzzled as they read a sign directing them to vote a few blocks away.

“I don’t understand. We have always voted here,” Esther Tanguma said. “Why are they closed? And why didn’t they tell us?”

Tanguma and Mario Fernandez drove two blocks to the United Methodist Church and stood in line with a dozen people waiting to vote.

“Things have been running pretty smoothly but it has been busy since we opened our doors,” Danise Byers, chief inspector of three precincts at the Morton Avenue and Plano Street site, said. “It’s only 10 a.m. and we already have had close to 300 people vote — not counting mail in and provisional voting.”

Wilfred Hernandez was visibly upset as he approached the voting site.

“I can’t believe this. I am ready to call the FBI,” Hernandez said as he showed a postcard. “We’ve been voting at the [National Guard] Armory for four years and now we get these postcards saying I have to go to San Diego to vote and my wife has to go to Bakersfield.”

Clerk Christine Davis quickly assured him that was not the case. As long as their names were on the roster, they were welcome to vote there.

“Even if their name is not on our roster, but if it is in the county book and everything is in order, they can vote here,” Davis said. “It is their right to vote and we won’t send anyone away.”

Charlie Kirby said he was at the right place but was upset because he voted wrong.

“I voted yes on Proposition 8 but I meant to vote no,” Kirby said. “It is very confusing the way they have that worded. There are a lot of people who will vote wrong. They should have rearranged the words. I am not happy with that.”

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.