Photos: Lines of voters stretched at the Silver City Woman's Club and the Grant County Business and Conference Center.
Today is Election Day all over the United States. If the turnout in Grant County is any indication, polls everywhere are crowded.
The County Clerk Robert Zamarripa reported on Monday that early voting, which concluded on Saturday, and absentee ballots had so far totaled 7,726 ballots cast—a 37 percent voter turnout.
He reported at the Grant County Commission this morning that turnout during the 2008 presidential election had been a 47 percent turnout. Zamarripa said this turnout could be a new record for the county.
At two voter convenience centers in Silver City—the Woman's Club and the Grant County Business and Conference Center—voters had a wait of at least 20 minutes up to 40 minutes.
Zamarripa said before the polls opened this morning at the Woman's Club, the line already stretched down the driveway.
One voter said she had given up her place in line to move to the back of the line, because two voters had come in, but could not wait because of needing to get back to work. So Grant County residents were helpful to those with time constraints.
Voter Conveience Center Locations:
Tyrone Community Center – 100 Turquoise St, Tyrone, NM
Silver City Woman’s Club – 1715 Silver Heights Blvd., Silver City, NM
Grant County Business and Conference Center (Next to ACE Hardware) 3031 Highway 180 East, Silver City, NM
National Guard Armory – 1990 U.S. Highway 180, Santa Clara, NM
Bayard Community Center – 209 Hurley Ave., Bayard, NM
Hurley Community Center – 312 Carrasco Ave., Hurley, NM
There will be rural polling locations open for the following:
Precincts 1 and 2 can vote at the Cliff School.
Precincts 3 and 4 can vote at Sapillo Creek VFD.
Precincts 5 and 10 can vote at the San Lorenzo Elementary School.
Precinct 6 can vote at the Redrock Church.
Precinct 7 can vote at the Pinos Altos VFD.
Precinct 31 can vote at the Hachita Baptist Church and Precinct 35 can vote at the Mule Creek Community Center.