Few problems ... and less excitement than in 2008
By Adam Lidgett, Kaylee Cummings and Maiyani Thornton
Precincts in State College generally saw an election day that went off without a hitch, but some still had a few problems with voting.
Bob Minard, judge of elections at Unity Church of Jesus Christ, 140 N. Gill St., said about six or seven people filled out provisional ballots after thinking they were registered to vote in State College but were not.
Provisional ballots are given to voters at precincts when there is a question of the voter eligibility.
Minard said that everyone was free to fill out a provisional ballot, but that there is not guarantee their vote will be counted in time for the election, and that it is up to Centre County election officials.
Minard said the voter turnout had been average throughout the day.
"Voter turnout has been steady, but no one is as excited as last [presidential election]," Minard said. "Last time we had a two hour line at this location by 8 a.m. -- people just don't seem to be as excited this time."
Many students said they felt it was their civic duty to vote and they wanted to make their voices were heard.
Nick Kussoff, senior-communication arts and sciences, said he was voting for Obama because his programs show some promise.
"I still have some faith in the effect of the population on the popular vote," Kussoff said. "Someone has to decide the vote -- so imagine the dumbest person you know. They could be the deciding vote if you don't."
Rick Pooler, junior-electrical engineering, who voted for Romney, said he wanted his vote to count, and it would because Pennsylvania is a swing state. Pooler said he was worried about getting a job after college, and that he could have his say through the democratic process.
The HUB Robeson Center was bustling with students and poll workers alike.
Taryn Codner, sophomore criminology, had nothing but good things to say about her first voting experience.
“I’m glad that Penn State made it so easy being that a lot of us are from out of state. I thought it would be more difficult,” Codner said.
Shelley Kempner of State College was working at the HUB for Common Cause, a nonpartisan group whose mission is to protect people’s right to vote. She said she was not opposed to Pennsylvania’s new Voter ID law, which a judge blocked last month from being implemented for this election.
The law would have required voters to show a photo identification.
“I think that it’s all right to require people to have ID as long as it doesn’t cost them time or money, and as long as it’s something the state facilitates for those that need help,” she said.
Sophomore Maya Wright said, “The Voter ID law would have discouraged a lot of people from voting. I think it suppressed students, seniors and the poor."
