By Desiree Hunter, Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Secretary of State Beth Chapman said Wednesday a record number of ballots were cast in Alabama's general election, leading to a phenomenon not often seen in the state's elections: lines snaking around blocks before polls open.
Chapman said totals from Tuesday's elections showed at least 2,091,143 votes were cast, surpassing the state's previous record, set in 1992, by about 200,000 ballots.
The 74 percent turnout was short of the record 76 percent of 1992, but that benchmark was harder to reach this time around because there were many more voters registered.
Problems were minimal, Chapman said, though there were some complaints from people who thought they were registered but weren't, went to the wrong polling place or had to stand in long lines.
"Given that we added 200,000 more voters, in light of that it's just close to a flawless Election Day," Chapman said.
Hundreds of people were in line at some polling places when they opened at 7 a.m. and Chapman said at least two counties reported having lines 1,000 strong early on. Traffic at the polls slowed by midmorning but poll workers saw another rush at lunchtime and after 5 p.m.
Chapman said she hopes such voter dedication and interest in the political process will continue to future elections and fears about lines won't keep people away.