Let's Get to Bottom of Richland Co. Voting Problems

TONY HAMILTON November 7, 2012 at 07:13 pm

MY WIFE AND I ARE 69 AND 70 YEARS OLD, RESPECTIVELY, AND I AM PARTIALLY DISABLED. THIS WAS THE WORST VOTING EXPERIENCE WE HAVE EVER HAD IN OUR ADULT LIVES. POORLY PLANNED, POORLY EXECUTED, TOTALLY LACKING IN CITIZEN CONCERN, COMFORT, CONVENIENCE, AND RESPECT. NO POLICE OFFICERS IN SIGHT TO CONTROL TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK WHICH WAS HORRENDOUS. A VERY CRITICAL ELECTION AND OUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES TREATED IT LIKE IT WAS NOTHING. WE ARE TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH AND ASHAMED OF OUR COUNTY AND STATE OFFICIALS, BUT I AM BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THIS IS STANDARD CONDUCT FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

Denise Eron November 7, 2012 at 08:44 pm

This was the 1st year since I was 18 years old ( now 58) that I have NOT voted. When I arrived at the polling site the line was around the school and I was told 4 hour wait. Plus I had to get back to work. I went back at 3:30pm with the same line etc. Last presidential election I waited only one hour. I am so disgusted with the lack of parking, lack of machines at the polling sites. WAKE UP polling officials. SC has grown. Provide the resources. If I walked away , How many other voters did not vote because of these conditions?

Jessie Gable (Editor) November 7, 2012 at 10:27 pm

Ridge View had the scariest parking situation. I had to back up about 1/8 miles between two rows of parked cars.

John H November 8, 2012 at 02:41 am

At Dutch Fork 2 more voting machines were finally brought in the afternoon to replace the ones that were not functioning and provide extras to accommodate the crowds. The other problem was that there was only one registration check in station.
I do have to give the volunteers at this location kudos for being there for 16 hours or more with no relief, trying to make the best of a tough situation. These volunteers deserve a lot of credit. Even though standing in line was very trying, we did get a chance to meet many of our neighbors we didn’t know, catch up with those we haven’t seen in a while, all the while keeping the mood light and friendly, amazingly, we didn’t talk much politics.. People who had the presence of mind to bring a chair gave them up to the elderly. The Arnolds, who own the new Chick – Fil – A in Ballentine, brought in large quantities of sandwiches and gave them out. Others shared pizza, bottled water and snacks. This is what I will remember most about this election. People came together as a community. Did anybody else have a similar experience?