Polling places were quite busy Tuesday in Clarion County, including Limestone Township where it was standing room only.
“Today has been very, very, very busy,” said Dottie Huffman, the minority inspector for the township. “We are having one heck of a turnout. It is incredible.”
The mail-in ballots did appear to impact the number of people voting in person.
One of the people who voted in person was Clarion attorney Mark Aaron.
“I want my vote to count and I believe there is less chance of manipulation or miscounting votes when you show up in person,” Aaron said. “Frankly, I think there is more of a chance of voter fraud and game playing with paper ballots.”
“I believe this is a ‘y’ in the road for the nation,” Aaron added. “No matter which way it goes one side or the other is not going to be happy.”
Rachael Clinger and her mother, Carol, also decided to vote in person.
“I wanted to be sure my vote counted,” Carol Clinger said.
“I feel it is my right to come to the polls,” said Rachael Clinger.
They were in good company as at least 45 people stood in line late in the afternoon at the fire company to cast their ballot.
“I just hope we have enough ‘I Voted’ stickers,” said Huffman.
In Clarion Township, the line stretched the length of the township building.
“This is nothing,” said township resident Gary Sproul. “When I got here at 6:30 this morning the line stretched around the paring lot. That was half hour before the polls opened.”
“I am not surprised to see so many people,” Sproul added. “There is a large Republican majority in the township. I think most of them wanted to vote in person just to be sure their votes were counted.”
The people in the queue were wearing masks and observing social distancing.
Asked why she was voting, a masked voter who declined to be identified said, “This is an historic election.