US Presidential Elections: Early voters queuing up
by Stanislaw Andreychuk, leading expert, regional coordinator of ‘Golos’ in Altai region
On 8 November, Presidential Elections are held in the United States (as well as Election to the Congress, the Senate, etc.). Early voting has started about a month ago, soon to be finished. Each state sets its own procedures and deadlines, in some of the states early voting started on September 23.
The coordinator of ‘Golos’ movement in Altai region Stanislaw Andreychuk is currently present in the United States. Stanislav plans to visit three polling stations on 8 November. Meanwhile, he shared his impressions on the early voting at the polling station, which he visited on November 3 in Maryland.
The area adjacent to the polling station of early voting, Maryland, 11.03.2016. Photo: Stanislaw AndreychukWe have visited a polling station on the day of early voting. We did not have to look for the polling station, as it was almost at the central square, full of campaign boards. We saw candidates next to the polling station, even campaigning themselves. A single ballot was designed to cast a vote in the Presidential Elections, Election to the Senate, the Congress, local elections, judiciary and even supervisor of school district. At the same time three referendum are held.
Early voter turnout was enormous. In the county, which we have visited (the State of Maryland), on the first day of early voting the turnout was 128 thousand voters (in 2012, 70-80 thousand). The voters were queueing in the evening, though the queue seemed to be moving rather fast. The situation is understandable: the Election Day in on Tuesday, when people go to work. Therefore, many voters cast early vote.
Early voters queuing, Maryland, 11.03.2016. Photo: Stanislaw AndreychukThe outreach is very well organized and the efficiency of managing the queue is very impressive. All polling stations are equipped with electronic voting machines. Though, paper ballots are used too.
Moreover, voters may use a provisional ballot. Such ballot is issued to a person who for some reason was not registered in the voter list, though resides in the area. Such votes are counted separately and added on only after the verification.
Interesting fact: the salary of PEC members - $ 150 per day, chairman - $ 250.
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