Turnout heavy at RI polls

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By Ed Tibbetts and Kurt Allemeier | Tuesday, February 5, 2008 4:12 PM CST | () comments

Polling Judge Jean Schwertley, left assists Thomas J. Manion with voting instructions at the VFW Post 1303 which was the precinct voting location for South Rock Island 14, 15 & 16. (Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES) Buy this Photo

UPDATED: Voter turnout this morning looks like it was heavy in Rock Island County, as people got their chance to play a substantive role in the presidential race for the first time in decades. Reports of a growing winter storm also looks as if it pushed people out the door early in order to beat the weather.

No official reports have come in from the county clerk’s office, but various campaigns say polling places were busy.

“The calls this morning were ‘Get me to the polls early before it gets worse,’” Susan Carpentier, chairwoman of the county GOP, said.

Illinois voters haven’t had a significant role in choosing a presidential nominee in decades. And election officials say registrations were up in the midst of wide open races in both parties.

Jeff Terronez, the state’s attorney who’s a delegate for Barack Obama, said he had talked to a lot of people while knocking on doors who said they had voted early.

“They think I’m crazy that I’m out here,” he said, adding, “We take nothing for granted.”

Obama, a senator from Illinois, is locked in a nationwide battle with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. He is expected to win his state, but with more than 20 states doling out 1,600-plus delegates, the battle is intense.

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, who is facing challenger Paul Rumler today, said he thinks there was a heavier than normal turnout this morning but that it was easing up as the weather got worse.

The National Weather Service was predicting significant accumulations of snow. The polls close at 7 p.m.

EARLIER STORY

Several polling places in Rock Island County reported significant turnout early today for the Illinois primary, part of the Super Tuesday voting that stretches across 24 states from Massachusetts to California.

Lines out the door were reported in some places while steady lines were seen in others. A line stretched out the door at one point at the Rock Island VFW. The wait to vote at 1st Baptist Church of Rock Island was 30 minutes at mid-morning.

The threat of bad weather later today is likely getting people out to vote early. The National Weather Service predicts rain turning to sleet and then snow beginning between 2 and 4 p.m. Heavy snow is predicted this afternoon, tonight and Wednesday.

Polling places are open until 7 p.m.

While ballots for both parties carry presidential primary races and Republicans have a U.S. Senate race on the ballot in Rock Island County, there is little else being contested on the county’s GOP ballot.

Nonpartisan issues on the ballot include referendums to extend the property tax rate for Rock Island schools to make building improvements and build a new school, and one to increase the tax levy for Niabi Zoo.

Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.