There was no shortage of polling place reports this morning, as the county was abuzz with people sharing news of traffic snares and long lines. The crowds in most places seemed to have dissipated quickly however, and all the people we’ve talked to that voted after 8:30 a.m. have reported little to no wait.

Powhatan residents Duke and Pat Brown, who spent the morning trying to keep dry under a tent at St. John Neumann, a District 1 polling location, said the line had been “out the door” when they first showed up at 6 a.m. By 9:30 however, there were only a few cars left in the parking lot.

The Browns were handing out sample ballots to voters as they hustled past, in the hopes, Pat said, that those who had never voted before would feel a little more confident.
And if, for some reason, they decided to vote Republican, that would be just fine with the Browns as well.

According to warnings issued last week from Powhatan registrar Inez Poe, the calm at the polls may not last. She cautioned residents that lunch time and after 5 p.m. would also likely be extremely busy.