Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarA voter enters the First Baptist Church in downtown Meridian to cast her vote. 

Poll workers in Lauderdale County saw unprecedented turnout for a midterm election, nearly matching enthusiasm for presidential elections.

“It’s a very good turnout for a midterm election,” Jeff Tate, the chairman of the Lauderdale County Election Commission, said Tuesday afternoon. “It’s too early to say, but we might see 40 percent turnout, which is what we usually see when it’s a governor or sheriff running.”

Less than 20 percent of voters cast their ballots in the June primary elections.

“We’re running out of ‘I Voted’ stickers,” Tate said.

Just before polls closed at 7 p.m., Tate said the county ordered a standard number of ballots for each precinct then ordered some emergency ballots, which will take longer to process but count toward the overall vote.

Some precincts requested emergency ballots after receiving more voters than expected.

“We had a few areas that came close to running out of the ballots that we had,” Tate said. “And we’ve had some lines because of those paper jams forming after five. To be honest, it’s a good thing that so many are coming in… that’s just because of this enormous turnout we’re having for a midterm.”

Tate, finishing a call with poll workers in the Clarkdale area, which needed some emergency ballots, said the workers reported lines but good attitudes, with no one turned away.

“It’s a small price you have to pay for a democracy – waiting in line,” Tate said. 

At the Meridian Little Theatre precinct for Ward 2, long-time poll worker Margaret Remy reported one of the highest turnouts she’d seen during her 40 years.

“We’re setting records. This is the biggest (midterm) I’ve seen,” Remy said around 12:30 p.m., noting that scheduling lunch breaks had become a challenge. “We were hoping they would come out and the voters showed up for us.”

Differing opinions

One of those voters, Jacque Longmeier, said she voted in every election she’s been eligible. She said she voted for Republicans in Tuesday’s elections. “I like the direction the country is going in right now and I’d like to see that continue,” Longmeier said. 

Fred Robertson, on the other hand, said he voted for Democrats, adding that he normally voted independently and across party lines.

“I had to vote Democrat because I hope we can get some of those Republicans out of there,” Robertson said, noting some of the divisions he saw even on a local level since the 2016 presidential election. 

“All of this division and everything, that’s not the way I want it to be,” Robertson said. “I’m voting for the future, for my grandkids.”

At Meridian Community College, some students planned to vote for the first time on Tuesday. 

Kevonte Henry, 21, a 3-D drafting student, said he heard that a lot of young people were not voting, so he decided he would vote.

“If we want to make change for the future, more young people need to go out to the polls,” Henry said.

The minimum wage is one issue that interests him. He said it should be raised from $7.25 to at least $8, which would help families.

“You really can’t survive off of that,” Henry said. 

Another student, Larissa Gibson, said her parents encouraged her to vote as a voice for younger generations.

“Our voice is going to make a difference, because it is going to be our world that we are changing,” Gibson said.

At 9 a.m. at MSU-Meridian, Lee Morris, 55, of Meridian, said the most important issue to him was healthcare. He said he wants the Affordable Care Act to continue and considers healthcare a basic right. 

Artis Murray Jr., 66, of Meridian, grew up during segregation and said he has seen the difference voting has made. He remembered a time when it was difficult for black people to vote. Murray said candidates’ honesty and integrity were important to him.

“I don’t like the dissension in the county right now,” said Tony Clark, of Meridian, who said he preferred candidates who would unify the country. 

Common themes 

Gerald Hudson, of Meridian, said he voted because the midterm election was a pivotal point since the 2016 election, saying he is excited to learn the results.

“I’m hoping that the country changes direction,” Hudson said.

Common themes discussed by voters were health care, education, division within the country and lack of youth voting. Many voters said one way to get more youth involved was through education.

“It’s very discouraging, they don’t see the ramification of not voting,” Hudson said.

Walter Patton, 61, of Meridian, said a lot of people hung from trees and died so he feels like he is obligated to vote.

Patton said we must teach younger generations the history of voting in the country, which includes women and minority groups. 

Gabriel Kennedy, of 21st Street, saw voting at the Velma Young Community Center as a chance to express his opinions and put positivity back into politics. 

“This is your chance to speak. You’ve got to vote,” Kennedy said. “I voted Democrat. I always have.”

Just outside of the Velma Young Center, four men stood with a Black Lives Matter flag, identifying themselves as part of the Meridian chapter of Black Panthers.

“We’re out here to make sure everything at the pools goes right,” James Houston, one of the men, said. “We’re preventing voter intimidation.”

Houston said that the group of four had been to three precincts by lunchtime and hoped to check in with several other locations throughout the day.

Lauderdale County residents assisting in recovery efforts in Florida voted absentee thanks to the 2014 Hero Act, which applies to first responders, Jeff Shepard, the spokesperson for Mississippi Power said. Shepard said that the business worked with several Circuit Clerk offices in Mississippi, including Lauderdale County and Clarke County, so the team could continue their work in Florida without losing their chance to vote.