Light Turnout in Wilmington, DE

On a day when the story across the country seems to be huge participation, DelaVoice reports that several sources say turnout in Wilmington is lighter than expected.

HIGH TURNOUT AND A LETTER OPENER

The News Journal reports above average turnout and this tale of voter enthusiasm gone awry:

County police spokesman Cpl. Trinidad Navarro said Eric McNair, of the Woods Edge Apartments, was charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon – a felony – and disorderly conduct. Navarro said officers were called to the firehouse at 1100 Brandywine Blvd., a polling place, because McNair was shouting his support for his candidate. When the officer took the man aside and asked him if he had any weapons on him, McNair reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter opener with a 5-inch blade, Navarro said.

The NJ kindly doesn’t mention who this guy was “campaigning” for.

(Cross-posted at Blogolution.com)

Report: Corrections Officers Frozen

More from DelaVoice. I heard similar discussion on Rick Jensen’s radio show:

According to unconfirmed reports, Corrections Officers have been “frozen,” meaning they are facing mandatory overtime tonight until 8 pm when the polls close. Our source tells us this is a transparent effort by Governor Minner to keep the prison officers from voting and from working the polls during the busy 4-8 voting period.

UPDATE: Commissioner Stan Taylor is saying that all elections officers will have an opportunity to vote, even if it means going into lockdown to let prison guards go to the polls. That doesn’t address the fact that many of those same corrections officers were planning to go and help some candidates that have been supportive of their plight.

From the Field

DelaVoice reports:

We’re hearing that polling places were generally jammed from 7-8, but that dissipated dramatically after 8:30.

Downside of first-time voters? Despite long lines, some polling places are seeing as few as 30 voters cast their ballots per hour on the not-so-new-fangled voting machines. That could mean very long lines when the polls close at 8 pm.

Also from a commenter to their blog:

Republican Newark Region Chair Mike Ramone was involved in a pretty bad car accident before 6:00 this morning while he was trying to get signs out at polling places

He was on Route 40 near Route 7 waiting behind a car to turn left when another car ran into his car and slammed him into the next car.

The driver in the car behind Mike was rushed to the hospital. Paramedics tried to convince Mike to go to the hospital, but Mike refused, called for another truck, loaded the signs into it and continued putting the signs up.
What dedication!

And finally, and finally a sample ballot from a real live voter:

Minner Won't Shake Hands

Confirmed by a witness who was there: Incumbent Ruth Anne Minner snatched her hand away from Bill Lee when he attempted to shake hands with her during their dueling GOTV rallies on Rodney Square yesterday. According to my witness she mumbled something about a sore thumb. Supposedly video made the Philly News on Channel 6 but I haven’t seen it myself

The final Republican poll had the race at 49-49, but my connected Democrat pal was dismissive, saying that Delaware’s love of the smoking ban would get Minner 9 out of 10 votes in Wilmington and 57% statewide.

More Delaware updates throughout the day at Blogolution.com and DelaVoice.com