Isle of Wight voters visit election polls
Published 10:26 am Wednesday, November 6, 2013
ISLE OF WIGHT—From Carrsville to Walters, from Isle of Wight to Windsor, many voters each said on Election Day they’re secure that their candidate for governor would win, though none would say directly for whom they cast their ballots.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli was on the Republican ticket, and Terry McAuliffe represented the Democrats. Robert Sarvis had a place on the ballot for the Libertarian party. With the exception of Alvin Webster Wilson and Tina Louise Hill vying for Herb DeGroft’s seat on the school board, there were no other real contests.
After making her decision at the polls in the Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department, Claudia McMillian of Carrsville said she votes in every election. That way she can’t say later, “I should have voted.’
“Yes, I am confident,” she said, and added, “I just pray about the situation.”
Sandra Rose and Ricky Evans, also both of Carrsville, feel sure about their choices.
Jim Williams, who worked inside, didn’t share in that optimism.
“I’m not confident with any of them,” Williams said with a laugh. He added that the choice is picking “the lesser of two evils.”
Linrod Tyler and his brother, Calvin Tyler Jr., were handing ballots to voters outside the station. Linrod Tyler said he volunteers for the duty every two years, and appreciates people coming out.
“It takes effort and initiative,” he said. “They believe in citizenship.”
Dana Roderick of Walters said she’s hopeful her candidate will triumph.
“I’m a part-time worker, and Obamacare affects me. We need to get people in office to look into it.”
Kristen and Chris Moore of Carrsville said they were put off by the campaigning.
“They were pretty annoying,” said Chris. “The phone was ringing off the hook. There was just too much (campaign) mail.”
Kristen added she thought the “sneakiness was uncalled for” by the candidates.
During the last couple of hours before voting ended, several officials at the polls said the number of people showing up was around 40 percent.
William Oshman at the Walters Ruritan Club said at one point that the percentage could maybe get as high as 45 percent, but didn’t think it would reach 50 percent.
Among the volunteers working at the site for their fourth election were Becca Banta and Spencer Snyder, sophomores at Tidewater Community College. Banta’s majoring in interior design, but Snyder is interested in political science as well as sociology.
Leslie Arnette of Obit went to the Isle of Wight Ruritan Club, but didn’t think a clear winner could be determined so early.
“You never can tell,” said Arnette, who added how much disliked the campaigning, particularly between Cuccinelli and McAuliffe.
“I feel they slandered one against the other,” she said. “No one really addressed the issues.”
Steve Tynes, chief officer at the site, called the campaign both unusual and good in that he found it interesting.
Glen Musick said he helps out at the polls because he’s found it’s a good way for him to meet people he might not ever see.
Paul Henry Sr., who lives near Chuckatuck, brought his three sons to witness the voting. David, Jacob and Paul Jr. watched and listened as their father explained what he was doing.
“It could be close,” he said about the outcome of the governor’s race.
Wanda White, who also said she’s been following the campaign, looks forward to the results.
“Yes, I am confident,” she said about her candidate, whose name she didn’t reveal.