The corner had a party feel. Obama volunteers, some from Delaware, held a big campaign sign and cheered to passing cars. Campaign workers passed out cookies, chocolate bars and snacks to people in the back of the snaking line.
Howard, 80, and Doris, 70, Oles have lived in this North Philadelphia neighborhood for more than 40 years. They stood at the back of the line, surrounded by much younger voters.
Is it always like this? “No, no, no, no!” said Doris.
The ranks of young voters, she said, has been growing. Added Howard, “I’m just glad they’re out there voting.”
The polling station – 20th ward, 3rd division – had four voting machine to accommodate all the voters. Ida Haley, the election judge at the station for the past 25 years, said the machines were holding up and there were only nine provisional ballots. She said the polling station has 1,920 registered voters – one of the highest in the city.
North of the Dendy polling place, the scene at the Mario de los Santos Health Center near Fifth Street and Allegheny Avenue was far different. Two volunteers and an election judge had a second-floor room with two voting machines all to themselves at 1:45 p.m.
Margaret DeLeo, the election judge, said it was a lull before the end-of-day storm. Turn-out was good, she said. Of 546 registered voters, 136 people had turned out to vote. “It comes in spurts,” DeLeo said.
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The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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