MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Thursday, October 23, 2008 11:01 am

Lines at the polls means “democracy is working,” an elections official said. “It’s great that we are having such a big turnout,” Elections Administrator Hooper Penuel said. “Voters must be considerate of others, be patient and watch the voting process work for the good of Rutherford County.” And many Rutherford countians are watching democracy in action by filing through early voting sites in droves. MOre than 30,000 had voted by Wednesday night, almost twice as many as the some 16,000 that had voted in the same period in 2004. And with the historic voter turnout level, comes very long lines at certain sites at certain times of the day. “All locations are experiencing lines during the day, according to the election officials at the sites,” Penuel said, adding it just takes minutes to check in and cast a ballot after reaching the registration table. But it’s actually reaching the table that has many frustrated. Penuel said voters can help the process by bringing in their voter registration card, because it has all the information poll workers need to process voters through in a timely manner.		Early Voting Sites Open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday during early voting: Murfreesboro SportsCom 2310 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro Election Commission Annex 426 E. Vine St. Murfreesboro Rutherford County Ag Center 1026 Golf Ln., Murfreesboro Tennessee Rehabilitation Center 460 9th Ave, Smyrna La Vergne Civic Auditorium 283 Old Nashville Highway, La Vergne  Open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday during early voting: Rutherford County Election Commission Office No. 1 Public Square South, next to Big B Cleaners Extended hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 28-30

“This is an historic election with plenty of interest," Penuel said.

"Voters must understand that we want to ‘move the line’ as quickly as we can, yet be fair and impartial to everyone,” he added.

And if the line is too long, just come back later. It’s the beauty of voting early. Voters have until Thursday, Oct. 30.

But if you have to vote on a certain day, Penuel suggests going toward the end of the day. All early voting sites are open until 7 p.m.

“The lines will be less than say during the middle of the day,” he added.

Also if you can go at an off time, like mid-morning or mid-afternoon, it could help speed the process.

Plus, the Election Commission office on the square will have extended hours beginning Tuesday, Oct. 28. The polling site will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

As an aside, watch the weather, people don’t like to stand outside in the rain or cold, which should cut the line down. 

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.