Almost everywhere in North Charleston today, or most anywhere in the country, it’s been hard to escape a certain refrain: “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Poll workers and other election-watchers were pleasantly surprised by a high turnout. Charleston City Councilman Sam Hart, arriving at Morningside Middle School about 1 p.m., relayed some of the excitement he’s heard from constituents.
“This is different. I think Obama has energized the young people and the voting process,” Hart said. “This election has generated a lot of enthusiasm for young people to come out and vote and for African-Americans to come out and vote.”
People leaving a polling place at Morningside during the early afternoon still reported 2-hour waits.
In nearby Park Circle, however, the crowd had thinned to just eight people by 2p.m.
That appeared to be a temporary lull, though.
Margaret Bell, a poll clerk, reported a brisk, yet orderly morning. Already, nearly 400 of the precinct’s 700 or so registered voters had cast ballots.
“It’s amazing, I’ve never seen such a turnout,” she said.
She expected a busy afternoon and evening and planned stay as long as necessary to accommodate everybody.
“I want a lot of people to vote,” she said. “Anybody waiting in line at 7 p.m. has to vote.” --Noah Haglund
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