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Hillsborough Voters Taking Advantage Of Early Balloting

By KEVIN BRADY | TBO.com

Published: October 20, 2008

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RUSKIN - Voters seem to turning out in force today, taking advantage of early voting at several polling places throughout Hillsborough County.

There were lines outside at least two polling places this morning, with people waiting up to 45 minutes in one location to cast their ballots.

"I have had calls about lines at some polling places," said Mia McCormick, a representative from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office. "I know the clerks in West Tampa have been very busy this morning."

Rodney Ness of Sun City Center was among more than 100 voters at the SouthShore Regional Library in Ruskin.

Doors opened at 10 a.m., and within the hour there was a 45-minute wait to vote, and the line was well out the door.

"There will be 10,000 people here on Nov. 4, so I wanted to get my vote in early to make sure the right person [presidential candidate] gets in," Ness said.

He wasn't surprised by the turnout.

"Sun City Center is pretty adamant about what we want, and the two factions [Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain] in there are not real friendly," he said.

Ness expects a record turnout once the final ballots are counted.

"This is a very important election," he said.

Constitutional amendments drew Sun City Center resident Terry Zorn to the library.

"I just wanted to beat the normal crowd, but I was surprised by the turnout this morning," Zorn said. "I think it has a lot to do with the economy and the Iraq conflict."

Maryanne Wiltse of Apollo Beach wanted to vote early, but after waiting in line at the library for 10 minutes and being told it would be at least another 30 minutes before she could vote, she gave up.

"I didn't want to wait until the last minute, but I have an appointment and can't wait for 45 minutes," Wiltse said.

The heavy early turnout didn't surprise Wiltse.

"I think the candidates bring out the best and worst in people," she said.

Election officials are expecting a high turnout for the Nov. 4 election.

"You hear people talking on the street about this election," McCormick said. "I think people are excited about it."

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