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Lines likely in Forsyth
Addition of five early-voting sites not enough to end election-day wait
Journal Graphic by Jeremy Boyd
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Published: July 23, 2008
Forsyth County could have twice the number of "one-stop" early-voting sites this November compared with 2004 general election, but people will still be standing in line at peak voting times, the county's director of elections predicts.
The county board of elections has agreed to have 12 early-voting sites, with the possible addition of two more, Elections Director Robert Coffman said. The 14 sites would be double the seven sites in 2004.
"We are ready, but there are going to be lines on Election Day," Coffman said. "There are going to be lines at one-stop. If people show up to vote that last week, I promise them there will be lines. When you have that many people voting, it is hard not to have a wait."
Democracy North Carolina, an election-reform group, said this week that some voters could face long lines -- up to three hours -- unless elections officials across North Carolina hire more staff members and open more early-voting sites.
Even though the group cited Forsyth County as one county that has made plans to extend weekend voting hours, it said that other counties may not be prepared to handle a surge in turnout.
Voter statistics show that early voting is increasingly important in Forsyth County. In 2000, about 10 percent of voters cast ballots during early voting. Turnout was 123,987.
By the 2004 general election the number of early voters had risen to 24,749 out of 141,893 voting -- with early voters making up almost 18 percent of the turnout. In the May 6 primary, 17,335 people voted early, about 21 percent of the total turn out of 81,147. There were nine early-voting sites for the primary.
Coffman is predicting that early voters could make up 25 percent to 30 percent of the total number of people voting this fall. The county has about 205,000 registered voters, and Coffman is predicting that turnout will be about 80 percent. That means close to 50,000 voters could be taking part in early voting.
"It has become a convenience to voters that my customers like," Coffman said.
Forsyth County plans to offer staggered hours of operation during some weekdays to help those who are at work during normal business hours and can't get away to vote. Although all the details are still being worked out, it looks like polls will be open Sunday, Oct. 19.
In cost and staffing, the county can't totally keep lines from forming during the busiest times, Coffman said.
"I think a 40-minute wait is getting up there," said Bob Hall, the executive director of Democracy North Carolina.
"If it is more than an hour, that is really asking a lot of people who are working. That is part of the convenience of early voting and having it on weekends.
In Forsyth County, voter registration is up 6 percent since the beginning of the year, with an increase in Democratic voters leading the way. Forsyth County added a total of 11,698 voters to the rolls between Jan. 5 and July 19, according to the State Board of Elections. Most counties across Northwest North Carolina saw registration increases of 2 percent to 4 percent.
The state has made grants of $2.75 million available to counties for adding early-voting sites.
Davidson County, like Forsyth, is applying for a state elections grant. Davidson County had three early-voting sites for the primaries and is considering two more, said Ruth Huneycutt, the director of elections there.
During the May primary, Davidson County had 5,187 early voters -- some 18 percent of the 28,007 who cast ballots. Huneycutt predicts that some will still have to wait in November, even with more early-voting sites.
"We will have lines, no question about that," Huneycutt said. "We had lines four years ago, and you don't have an incumbent, so you will have heavy voting everywhere. I don't think you can help it, because more people participate in a presidential election than at any other time. People want to vote for the president, and they will turn out."
■ Wesley Young can be reached at 727-7369 or at wyoung@wsjournal.com.
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