Actions

Poll problems corrected quickly: 'Nothing was difficult'

Posted
and last updated

RICHMOND, Va. -- Several issues were reported at some polling locations around the region as people came to cast their ballots on Election Day.

At the Whitcomb Court Community Center in Richmond, Chief Officer Nelly Turner said there was a mix up at the beginning of the day that was quickly corrected.

Turner said one person was given a presidential-only ballot without the local races on it.

The ballot was scanned in, but upon realizing the mistake, Turner said the woman came back and was given a provisional ballot to fill out her section for local races as well.

Hours later, Rasheeda Clanton came to cast her ballot at the Whitcomb Court Community Center, and she wasn't alone.

"It’s an experience. I wanted her to come with me to show her how important it is to vote," Clanton said of her six-year-old daughter J'nai. "With so much going on now, and their eyes are open to a lot of things -- I think this is the one thing that they can have that’s important and they can actually take something away from it."

Richmond voting.jpg

Clanton called the entire experience quick and easy.

"Nothing was difficult. Didn’t have to wait long or anything like that. It was easy -- ask my name, I went and got my ballot, and I got to the booth, and I was done in seconds," said Clanton. "I got everything that should be on the ballot -- because I double-checked."

Over at the Hickory Hill Community Center, there was a mix up in the first few minutes of opening.

A poll worker said they were given the wrong key to open the box for one of the polling machines, so they switched to provisional ballots for about five minutes until the election officer came to fix it.

Tyler Howard arrived after the issue was resolved.

"Nice and easy. Thirty years old and this is the first time I’ve ever voted -- nice, quick, and easy for me," said Howard.

And since that process was so easy, voters encouraged everyone to get out and vote on their last day to do it.

"Get out and vote. It counts. Make your voices heard," said Howard.

"It doesn’t take long," said Clanton. "You can come on your lunch break and vote and go back to work -- that easy."

Voters had until 7 p.m. election night to cast their ballots. Those who made it in line by 7 p.m. would be able to vote.