Idaho’s early voters face long lines Monday
By JOHN MILLER
Associated Press
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 10:08 AM PST
BOISE— Voters across Idaho waited in long lines Monday at early polling stations, sometimes in the rain and often for more than an hour, concerned that lines could be much longer on Tuesday.
Idaho mirrors a national phenomenon, with about a third of the American electorate voting before Election Day, largely to avoid expected queues of voters drawn by races including the contest between Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. By Monday, more than 29 million people in 30 states had already voted.
With so many people turning out early, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa has predicted that 80 percent or more of all registered Idaho voters will participate in the 2008 election, equaling numbers last seen here in 1992. In that year, residents were captivated by the tough race involving then-President George Bush, Ross Perot and eventual Democratic victor Bill Clinton.
‘‘1992 was a great year,’’ Ysursa said. ‘‘I think it (this year) will probably surpass it, myself. I think it’s exciting times in the election world, seeing this kind of interest and turnout.’’
Absentee and early voting in Idaho began last month. Monday was the deadline. On Tuesday, people will have to vote at their own precincts.
In eastern Idaho’s Bonneville County, a line of voters hundreds deep stretched out from the courthouse rotunda Monday. Bobbie Jockumsen, the election supervisor in Idaho Falls, said early and absentee voters there will easily hit a record. Despite Monday’s crush, Jockumsen said regular voting Tuesday will also likely exceed previous years.
‘‘We’re past records,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s like having a baby — we’ll be glad after it’s over.’’
The same goes for Bingham County just to the south, where more than 2,000 walk-ins — from 20,000 registered voters — had stopped by the courthouse in Blackfoot by 4 p.m. Monday. That might sound modest, said Clerk Sara Staub, but the number is a five-fold jump from only 400 walk-in voters who visited the early polling station before the May 27 primary.
‘‘The word has certainly gotten out,’’ Staub said.
