Election Day, while not the only time or place to vote, always sees an influx of ballots cast at local polling places. The 2024 presidential election, which has emerged as a very close and important race, is no different.
While undeterred, voters are still inconvenienced by the long lines at polling locations around the city of Auburn and Lee County. Many of them did not anticipate having to wait in line for so long before casting their votes.
Several people declined talking to The Auburn Plainsman because they were “running late for work” or “needed to be somewhere.” Long lines were prevalent in several locations throughout the city.
Patricia Williams, who has been registered to vote for 35 years, commented on the length of the lines shortly after casting her ballot at a city of Auburn voting location.
“We used to vote at Best Western, and it seemed to be much more efficient. I’m not sure why, but I’ve never had to wait in line an hour and a half before,” Williams said.
Similarly, Scott Shepherd, local chaplain, said that he and his sons also waited an hour and a half in line before entering the building of the polling location and casting their votes. Shepherd said he didn’t mind waiting in line for that long because he was thankful to have the right to vote.
“I think of the people that gave their lives so that we could do this. And we’re not under any kind of persecution. We’re not afraid for our lives. We get to freely come and express our right to vote, and I am just so grateful for that,” Shepherd said.
Auburn University student Kaleb Kirkland also experienced a long wait before voting for the first time. He said that registering to vote was simple, and he had no problems with the voting process.
“Long line but very user-friendly,” Kirkland said.
Auburn student Megan Thrasher said she waited in line at her polling location for an hour and a half before getting to go inside and cast her vote.
“When I got here [the line] was wrapped, like, completely around the building. So it’s been a while,” Thrasher said.
Even though many voters have to wait an hour or more before casting their ballots, they are committed and realize the importance of voting.
In the 2020 General Election, 3,708,804 Alabamians were registered to vote, and 2,329,114 actually voted — a 63% turnout. For the 2024 General Election, 3,866,754 Alabamians are registered to vote. Polling places will remain open until 7 p.m. local time tonight.
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Sami Grace Donnelly, senior in English literature, began writing for the Plainsman in the fall of 2021. She has served as a columnist, writer abroad, Opinion Editor, managing editor and is now Editor-in-Chief of the Plainsman.
