Thousands went to the polls after receiving their sample ballots this weekend - but some decided the wait was too long.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published October 26, 2004
[Times photo: Edmund Fountain]
William Schmidt, left, 65, of New Port Richey and his wife, Georgianna Schmidt, examine a
sample ballot while waiting in line to vote at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port
Richey on Monday. Thousands turned out to vote early at the center on Monday. The Schmidts
NEW PORT RICHEY - Dick Chase could see 30 people ahead of him and at least that many behind him, all of them waiting in line Monday afternoon to vote early at the Supervisor of Elections office.
"I don't know how long a wait it is," said Chase, a Hudson retiree, as he stood in the lobby of the West Pasco Government Center. "Looks like at least a half hour."
"I'd still rather do it here," said his wife, Patty Chase. "It's better than waiting on election day."
Early voting kicked off last week with little or no wait at Pasco's three elections offices, but the lines were considerably longer Monday - in part because sample ballots arrived in most mailboxes over the weekend. People like the Chases opened the sample ballots, marked their choices and brought the paperwork to the elections office Monday, ready to vote.
About 2,274 Pasco residents cast their ballots Monday, compared to 1,775 on Friday.
The voting machines in Dade City stayed busy, and about a dozen people waited in line in Land O'Lakes.
At various points Monday, the line snaking through the lobby of the West Pasco Government Center had more than 100 people, with a wait approaching 45 minutes to an hour.
Henry Elam, a software salesman from Beacon Woods, decided the line in the morning was too long.
"I went back to the office and got some work done, and now I'm ready to stay here the rest of the day," Elam said about 3:30 p.m., as he stood in the back half of the line.
"I know at least two people who are not here because they couldn't afford to spend the time in line," he added. "I'm trying to encourage them to come back."
In between handing out "I voted" stickers to people leaving the polls, elections worker Joan Shapiro tried to keep people's spirits up. "You're almost there," Shapiro told a dozen people nearing the front of the line into the elections office. "Keep smiling! It's the final lap."
June Clark, a Bayonet Point retiree, said she didn't mind the line. She was glad to see a crowd coming out to vote.
"This is wonderful," she said. "It looks like everybody is going to vote this year."
- Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is hall@sptimes.com
