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Local citizens get a jump start with early voting
  
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By MATTHEW HUISMAN
A record number of people turned out to cast their ballot Oct. 20, the first day of early voting in Harris and Montgomery counties as residents lined up outside local polling locations.
As of 1 p.m., 20,905 people had voted in Harris County, surpassing the first day of early voting during the 2004 election where 20,686 people voted the whole day, according to a press release from County Clerk Beverly Kaufman.
In Montgomery County, 4,200 people had showed up to vote by 2 p.m. compared to only 4,100 for the 2004 election, according to Carol Gaultney, Montgomery County elections administrator.
“We are expecting a record turnout to the polls,” Gaultney said.
Harris and Montgomery Counties have 1.95 million and 241,000 registered voters, respectively, with more being added each day. Harris County surpassed its old record of 1.94 million registered voters set in 2004.
Since not all the voter registration applications have been processed yet, voters across both counties have been advised to check online or call to make sure they are on the rolls before showing up to vote.
In Montgomery County, signs for the Pct. 4 constable’s race between Republican Rowdy Hayden and Democrat Cole Bishop lined the road turning into the courthouse annex on the feeder road of U.S. Highway 59.
Max Neely said that he voted for John McCain.
“I like the things he does and what he stands for,” Neely said. “I like the person more than the party.”
Stocker Bardwell said he voted straight Democrat on the ticket.
“He’s just a much better candidate all around,” Bardwell said about Obama.
In Kingwood, residents showed up at the Humble Independent School District Instructional Facility building on Magnolia Cove Drive to vote. People waited about 15 minutes to cast their ballot.
Egberto Willies showed up to avoid the lines, only to be caught in one himself.
“I’m voting to get it out of the way so I can get more people to the polls,” Willies said. Willies wasn’t shy to say that he is voting for Barack Obama, the Democratic senator from Illinois.
“I hope to finally have intelligence in the White House,” Willies said as he waited in line to vote. “It’s been painful,” he said, describing the last eight years. Willies, a naturalized U.S. citizen since 1984, is originally from Panama. Willies said that people often don’t realize the view their own country has abroad. Willies added that he hopes Obama will bring some prestige back into the White House.
At the public library in Humble, a line snaked around the corner of it as citizens waited patiently. The quick-moving line yielded about a 30- to 45-minute wait for voters.
Larry Drummond would not say how he voted, but did say that he did not vote a straight ticket.
“I’m proud to vote for John McCain,” Debra French said.
French is the owner of Dream, Doors and Windows, a business in Humble.
“I’m a small business person and I don’t want my taxes raised,” French said.
Aaron Thomas, who was standing in line in front of French, said he was voting for Obama.
“He’s the best man for the job,” Thomas said.
Shehla Mahmood was also voting in Kingwood. Mahmood said she was trying to avoid the lines and give Obama a boost.
“This country needs some good, young blood,” Mahmood said.
Lanny Noto said he voted straight down the Democratic ticket. Noto cited the poor economic and financial conditions in his decision.
VOTER INFO
HARRIS COUNTY:
www.hcvoter.net
713-368-VOTE (8683)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY:
www.montgomeryvotes.com
936-539-7843
As of 1 p.m., 20,905 people had voted in Harris County, surpassing the first day of early voting during the 2004 election where 20,686 people voted the whole day, according to a press release from County Clerk Beverly Kaufman.
In Montgomery County, 4,200 people had showed up to vote by 2 p.m. compared to only 4,100 for the 2004 election, according to Carol Gaultney, Montgomery County elections administrator.
“We are expecting a record turnout to the polls,” Gaultney said.
Harris and Montgomery Counties have 1.95 million and 241,000 registered voters, respectively, with more being added each day. Harris County surpassed its old record of 1.94 million registered voters set in 2004.
Since not all the voter registration applications have been processed yet, voters across both counties have been advised to check online or call to make sure they are on the rolls before showing up to vote.
In Montgomery County, signs for the Pct. 4 constable’s race between Republican Rowdy Hayden and Democrat Cole Bishop lined the road turning into the courthouse annex on the feeder road of U.S. Highway 59.
Max Neely said that he voted for John McCain.
“I like the things he does and what he stands for,” Neely said. “I like the person more than the party.”
Stocker Bardwell said he voted straight Democrat on the ticket.
“He’s just a much better candidate all around,” Bardwell said about Obama.
In Kingwood, residents showed up at the Humble Independent School District Instructional Facility building on Magnolia Cove Drive to vote. People waited about 15 minutes to cast their ballot.
Egberto Willies showed up to avoid the lines, only to be caught in one himself.
“I’m voting to get it out of the way so I can get more people to the polls,” Willies said. Willies wasn’t shy to say that he is voting for Barack Obama, the Democratic senator from Illinois.
“I hope to finally have intelligence in the White House,” Willies said as he waited in line to vote. “It’s been painful,” he said, describing the last eight years. Willies, a naturalized U.S. citizen since 1984, is originally from Panama. Willies said that people often don’t realize the view their own country has abroad. Willies added that he hopes Obama will bring some prestige back into the White House.
At the public library in Humble, a line snaked around the corner of it as citizens waited patiently. The quick-moving line yielded about a 30- to 45-minute wait for voters.
Larry Drummond would not say how he voted, but did say that he did not vote a straight ticket.
“I’m proud to vote for John McCain,” Debra French said.
French is the owner of Dream, Doors and Windows, a business in Humble.
“I’m a small business person and I don’t want my taxes raised,” French said.
Aaron Thomas, who was standing in line in front of French, said he was voting for Obama.
“He’s the best man for the job,” Thomas said.
Shehla Mahmood was also voting in Kingwood. Mahmood said she was trying to avoid the lines and give Obama a boost.
“This country needs some good, young blood,” Mahmood said.
Lanny Noto said he voted straight down the Democratic ticket. Noto cited the poor economic and financial conditions in his decision.
VOTER INFO
HARRIS COUNTY:
www.hcvoter.net
713-368-VOTE (8683)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY:
www.montgomeryvotes.com
936-539-7843
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