Voters see varying line length on Election Day

While voters were able to walk in, vote and walk back out of the polls at the Chelsea Community Center in a matter of minutes, voters at Sports Blast on U.S. 280 waited in line for more than an hour.

The Sports Blast polling location had a line that wove through the parking lot. Voters ages 70 and older were allowed to vote without waiting in line, according to one man walking to his car.

A majority of the 2016 election has been consumed by discussion on the two presidential candidates, but voters along U.S. 280 also had local races and statewide amendments to vote for or against. Resident Bob McKay said he chose to vote “no” on all 14 amendments on the ballot.

“I voted no on all the amendments just out of spite,” he said, including the ones which could affect Shelby County. The decision was made “just out of pure cussedness,” he added.

Lindsay Hubbard, however, said she voted “yes” on both amendments that affected Shelby County — Amendments 2 and 14. The other amendments, especially the ones which only affected other counties, she said she did not vote for.

Several voters at Sports Blast said Amendment 2 was the only one they felt passionately about. The voters we spoke to at the polls said they support state parks and funding the parks, but for some that meant supporting the amendment and for others that meant opposing it.

“The one in particular I voted ‘No’ on was the one regarding state parks,” said Amy Hanna, who said she wants to support state parks. Amendment 2 would designate certain funding for state parks, but it also allows parks to partner with private entities.

“I want them to keep their own money,” said Jeff Manget, who voted “yes” on Amendment 2. The part about using private contractors, however, was something he was “not crazy about.”

State parks are an important resource for the state and its citizens, said Haylee Gaither, who voted “yes.”

“I feel like we shouldn’t take funding from state parks,” she said, “because they’re very beneficial to our state.”

Some voters that 280 Living spoke to at the polls said they had heard of Amendment 14, but did not feel as passionate in their opinions on that item. 

While voters stood in line to cast their ballots, Chelsea High School seniors Catherine Loftus, Maggie Brady and Taylor Miller stopped by to take a picture in front of Sports Blast. The photo is an extra credit item for their AP Government course, Loftus said. AP Government is taught by Deana Freeman at Chelsea High School, and Loftus said Freeman rearranged this year’s course to make sure their lessons on elections lined up with the real-world elections.

“I think it’s good that everyone came out to vote,” Loftus said, looking out on the line in front of Sports Blast. “It might be a record turnout.”

Learning about the election has been an interesting experience, Miller said, noting that it is one of the “most interesting” she has ever heard of.