ELECTION 2009: One stop voting may preview turnout

It’s Election Day and people across the east hit the polls today for municipal elections.  Turn out was not heavy but that was expected.

In Pitt County, hundreds of people came out early this morning to cast their ballots.
   
In fact, the county says the number of registered voters is up this year, 10 thousand voters higher than last municipal elections in 2007.
   
They attribute one-stop voting and absentee ballots to the early crowds.

Voters also went out to the polls in Onslow County to cast their votes as well.
   
There were several local councilman and councilman ward seats up for grabs.

And a busy day for voters in Kinston.  People put their votes in for mayor, town comissioners and city council candidates.
   
People say even though it’s an off-year for elections, it’s still important to get out and vote.

Polls close in most areas at 7:30 Tuesday.   
   
You can see the winners of the races after that online by clicking here and on Eyewitness News 9 Nightside.

—- ORIGINAL STORY—-

Election day 2009 is here.
   
While this election isn’t expected to draw the crowds it did last year, people are still headed to the polls.
   
As our Aurther Mondale reports, one stop early voting may be a preview of today’s voter turnout.

The Pitt County Board of Elections says the early morning polls were busier than usual.  With most municipalities reporting over 100 voters in the wee hours of the morning

The Pitt County Board of Elections says if early voting is any indication of how the polls will be, the polls will be very busy.
   
Registered voters have increased by 10 thousand people since the last general election in 2007.
   
One-stop voting and abscentee ballot have also increased.
   
But Elections Director David Davis says this election is always a tight race and registered voter are urged to realize the importance of every vote.

“It’s very important. In the time that i’ve been here in the past 6 years we’ve had 2 contests that were decided by one vote. It shows the importance of getting out and voting,“ says David Davis, Pitt County Director of Elections.

Now remember, you can cast your vote as late as 7:30PM.  The Board of Elections says results could be ready as early as 8:30 this evening.

For election results from around the east, just type in the Keywords: Election Results right here on our website.