At a polling place in Union City, lines were among the worst in Georgia. Secondhand reports claimed some voters had to wait between seven and eight hours.
Emma Hurt / WABE
For some Georgia voters, Tuesday was a relatively painless experience. Some precincts had few lines and no issues.
But for others, many of them in metro Atlanta, it was hours of waiting in line because of a conflation of mishaps, including polling place consolidations because of the pandemic and issues troubleshooting with the state’s new voting machines.
Shannon Mikaila handed out snacks and drinks to voters waiting in line at Central Park Recreation Center after waiting nearly four hours herself earlier in the day. (Emma Hurt/WABE)
While many Democratic politicians have blamed Georgia’s secretary of state for the issues, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has, in turn, launched investigations into DeKalb and Fulton counties’ election management as a result.
State lawmakers have started their own investigation of the whole situation as well.
Shannon Mikaila waited for nearly four hours at her polling place in Old Fourth Ward, and again with her mother at hers later in the day. She decided to return to the Central Park Recreation Center precinct with food, drinks and provisions for hopeful voters.
“I think [voting] is the most important thing you can possibly do as a human, as a citizen,” she said. “And I encourage people they have to participate. You have to. You can’t sit back.”
William and Gabrielle Smith were in line in Union City with their 22-month-old Mikayla. “We’re committed,” Gabrielle said. (Emma Hurt/WABE)
At Christian City assisted living facility in Union City, lines were among the worst in the state. At one point they stretched to seven and eight hours long, according to secondhand reports.
William and Gabrielle Smith waited with their 22-month-old Mikayla in a stroller.
“It’s worth it. We’re definitely doing something to try to contribute to make our area a better place and the world,” William said. “It is what it is. You’ve got to roll your sleeves up sometimes and get to work and do your part.”
