VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Many people have already started to make their voices heard in the primary elections. Though, not many showed up to the polls on the morning of Super Tuesday. We'll see if the trend continues throughout the day.
Those voting at Windsor Woods Elementary School in Virginia Beach said getting up early is the best way to avoid any line on Election Day.
“This place has no lines," said Virginia Beach resident Chris Hakim. "It’s great, in and out real quick.”
Out of all the options to vote, Virginia Beach resident William Love said he always wants to vote in person on Election Day. Love was the fourth person to stand in line before the polls opened at Windsor Woods Elementary.
“I just want to make it personable and the reason being because I want to stand for what it’s worth,” he said.
He calls it symbolic.
“I believe a lot of folks sacrificed for us to have the opportunity to vote," he said. "And I just want to make sure our vote is being accounted for.”
“It’s important for me to have my voice heard," he said. "We’re a democratic nation. That needs to happen with everybody.”
Though, some may not cast a ballot in this year’s election. Virginia Beach Election Official Dave Shanklin says fewer people have stopped by the Windsor Woods Tuesday morning compared to previous primaries.
“Normally, we get a good early morning crowd first hour, everybody’s heading in the work," he said. "Then jump around lunch time, we’ll get another crowd.”
He said around 7 am, less than 20 people voted at the precinct location. The city’s general registrar anticipates a 10% turnout for the primaries. As of 9 am, the city reported more than 5,100 votes on Election Day. Shanklin predicts a relatively quiet day.
“I would expect slow and steady," he said. "The ones and twos trickling in every few minutes, all day. I don’t expect to see a big crowd at any point.”
Regardless of the numbers, he said it’s always nice to see old faces.
“We all live in this area," he said. "So, we get to see our neighbors and friends as they come through. It’s always a good time.”
Other election offices in Hampton Roads are also expecting a low voter turnout for Super Tuesday. In Norfolk, the general registrar said 1,211 citizens voted early. In Suffolk over 1,000 voted early in-person.
Chesapeake expects a 5-7% turnout for Super Tuesday. In Newport News, the election office reported 3,029 voters on election day at 11 am which they consider very low for the morning. Portsmouth notes a 3% turnout with 1,493 voters showing up to the polls.