Long Lines, Malfunctioning Machines Not Keeping Voters Away from Polls

UPDATE: 2:03 p.m. Nov. 6, 2012 Rep. Nathan Ballentine, who is running unopposed in District 71, tweeted he would push for early voting after reports of long lines and wait times of at least four hours in several precincts in Richland County. 

UPDATE: 1:33 p.m. Nov. 6, 2012 

Manager at Dutch Fork Middle tells Patch he typically has 10-12 machines.
Today, he has four with only three working.

Rep. Nathan Ballentine tweeted he spoke with the Richland County election director and he said the school will get another booth. 

The poll manager said machines have been spread out more than normal, which has resulted in longer wait times.

He said there are about 3,670 voters in his precinct and after more than four hours, only around 300 voters were able to get through the line.

The poll manager said when he has the 10-12 machines in has had in the past, he's able to get people in and out with little wait time.

He adds, "I've neved had problems before."

The end of the line started inside of the school on the opposite side of the entrance in order to keep some of the voters from standing in the cold. 

Patch talked with several voters and they said the long lines wouldn't scare them away. 

Saddler Taylor, a resident in the Dutch Fork area, was upbeat.

Taylor stood in the sun to get warm and patiently waited until it was his turn to cast his vote. 

Taylor said he was willing to wait and been in line since 8 a.m.

There were also reports of long lines at Ballentine, River Springs and Oak Pointe elementary schools. 

UPDATE: 11:50 a.m. Nov. 6, 2012
Poll manager at Dutch Fork Middle School says that only 3 out of 4 voting machines are working at Dutch Fork and 3,000 people are registered to vote there.

This is making the wait time longer for voters. Parking is difficult to find around the precinct.

Original Report

Several Irmo-area polling locations are experiencing long delays thanks to heavy turnout and broken machines this morning.

The poll manager at Friarsgate Park in Irmo area said two of four machines have been down since the polls opened.

Two more machines are supposed to be sent to location. Voter said they have been waiting at least three hours.

Voters said they will stay in line until they can vote. At least three voters we talked to said there were more machines at the precinct in 2008.

Walter George, 67, has been in line for more than 3 hours. he's voting for President Barack Obama and will stay until his vote is counted.

Alicynne Boisture, a voter at Friarsgate Park, said people should still vote despite long wait. She came prepared with a book.

Long lines are also being reported at Ballentine Elementary School and in the Dutch Fork area.