Carpenter: County experiencing strong voter turnout
November 6, 2012
District 3 Election Commissioner Myles Carpenter said county polling precincts are currently experiencing high turnout for today's General Election.
Polls opened 7 a.m. today and will close at 7 p.m.
Turnout, he said, appears to be similar to 2008 rates, Carpenter said, but a final number of voters will not be available until ballots are counted. Carpenter also said he was not aware of any major voting problems or irregularities being reported so far today.
A call placed to Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk Glenn Hamilton went unreturned as of 1 p.m.
"Turnout is just great today. I've been to about six or seven precincts alone, and there have been lines of voters waiting to cast their ballots," Carpenter said.
Since precincts are reporting strong voter turnout, residents need to be aware of parking issues around the county.
District 1 Election Commissioner Greg Fulgham said voters heading to the West Starkville precinct, located at the National Guard Armory on Miss. Highway 12, should enter the location from the highway and exit on Industrial Road. National Guard personnel will help direct traffic and assist voters, and the adjoining former Templeton car lot will be open for overflow parking.
Sissy Smitherman, District 2 election commissioner, said both East Starkville and Northeast Starkville precinct voters will cast their ballots in Humphrey Coliseum’s President’s Reception Room. Signs directing voters to the polls will be placed on the building’s western entrance.
Maben precinct voters will cast their ballots at the newly constructed Maben City Hall, Carpenter said. Voters with flexible schedules, he said, should consider voting mid-afternoon to avoid long lines.
Voters could see heavy traffic on Lynn Lane as they approach the
Starkville Sportsplex, District 4 Election Commissioner Joe Baker said. Ample parking locations should be available, but voters might have to walk a distance to the polls.
Finally, Bettye Ford, District 5 election commissioner, said parking at the Gillespie Street Center in Starkville may become scarce during heavy turnout periods. Voters heading to the Gillespie precinct can utilize the parking area located at the old Corhern grocery store.
