Texas Final Step!

By Michelle and Brittney Sheena

Texas results were no surprise. The Lone Star state is still red, voting overwhelmingly for Senator John McCain.

Earlier today, we visited the polling place in our neighborhood, Horn Elementary School in Houston, Texas. Horn Elementary is the same place where the caucus elections happened in March. Texas has a “two step” presidential primary process. There is a general primary election and smaller caucus election that takes place after the primary vote. Today, at 5:30 PM, there actually were no lines when we arrived! This was amazing because my parents actually voted last week, because they thought there would be long lines.

Outside of the school there were a lot of people handing out flyers trying to help encourage last minute voters.

Eva Engelhart was there to support her husband, Mike Engelhart, who is running for judge. She described the atmosphere as  "friendly, with a bit of excitement in the air and a little bit of anxiety.” She added, “We are all here at the polls and we are getting along as Democrats and Republicans.”

Suzy Schaffer was also there to encourage voters. She is a preschool teacher. She stated that she used the election to teach her students about voting. In her classroom, the kids had to vote for popcorn or graham crackers for a snack, Popcorn was the winner.

Christine Stillman, 19, is a full time student and a first time voter. She said, "at first I was pretty apathetic about the election, but now [it] is exciting."

We interviewed Pat Durio, who is an election judge. He also thought that this election has been very exciting. He believes that voter turnout has increased since the last election

At 5:30, about 70 percent of  registered voters had already voted. Usually about only 50 percent turnout to vote.

Durio explained that if someone was not on the voting list, they were not turned away. Instead, the voter was asked to fill out a "provisional ballot."  He explained that a special election review board will look at every provisional ballot and determine if the vote is valid.

We also asked what happens if you arrive to the polling place at the last minute. He said that he, "has an atomic watch and at 7 pm the polls close. As long as you are in line by 7 pm, you get to vote."

It was pretty exciting to see people voting after following this election for the past year.

PHOTO: First time voter Christine Stillman, 19, talks to Kid Reporter Michelle Sheena at a polling place in Houston, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Sheena)

Comments

[Celina]

Wow, I can't believe ao many people in Texas tried to encourage more people to vote. I love Texas and I agree with what they are doing.

[Patrick Durio]

Michelle & Brittney:
I appreciate your reporting on Texas voters. I congratulate you on a job well done.

[Mike]

Great reporting job. Captured everything - it is exciting times and let's hope everyone continues to vote! With election judges like Pat Durio who know their stuff, we are in good hands.