Outside the University of Idaho Student Recreation Center yesterday, signs and volunteers directed voters to registration and voting booths. Golf carts shuttled voters to and from the polls through the chilly breeze, a palpable excitement in the air.
Amber Schneider, Center for Volunteerism and Social Action program coordinator, was impressed by the turnout and the energy of the students prepared for the election.
Schneider anticipated lower turnout at the SRC because of absentee ballots. While the turnout is higher than she expected, “there really has not been any lines throughout the day except for early this morning before we opened and around 3:45 p.m.” she said.
“I honestly expected less of a line, but I think folks were getting pretty excited to cast their ballots today,” Schneider said.
Annie Dalos, a UI student and first-time voter, was excited to cast her ballot.
“I just wanted to since I was old enough to be able to use my right to vote,” Dalos said. “I thought it was exciting.”
She said, to her, voting is a way to express her interests and what she cares about.
Donovan Rapp, Latah County resident and former UI student, agreed with Dalos. He felt voting in this election was extremely important. He believes there is a cycle of the parties not accurately reflecting voter needs but hopes the youngest generation of voters can break the pattern.
“I just don’t think the two parties represent us anymore,” Rapp said. “I think it’s the same thing over and over again. I think one of the things that our generation will probably push for is moving out of that because it’s not working. Voting is supposed to be you representing yourself and what you want in society, and by voting, you’re expressing this person will represent me, and that’s why it’s important.”
The SRC voting location is a relatively new addition to Latah County, having opened earlier this year. The SRC has also served as a COVID-19 testing location for UI students and employees.
“We are asking poll workers to wipe down stations after folks are voting,” Schneider said. “We also have socially distant poll booths and registration areas. We are also asking folks to wear masks indoors. Folks are complying with COVID-19 guidelines.”
Inside the SRC, pens lay scattered across socially distanced tables, which voters can take after filling out registration forms to minimize germ spreading. The sharp scent of disinfectant pervaded the room.
The Latah County Fairground, another polling location, followed similar guidelines. Thomas Anderson, one poll worker, said absentee ballots were prioritized this year. Voters were instructed to use hand sanitizer and follow social distancing guidelines. Poll workers wiped down pens at the fairgrounds after voters finished using them.
Another poll worker, Linda Dewitt, said adapting to the guidelines was not as difficult as she expected because “we’ve gotten so used to COVID-19 that preparing for this wasn’t that much of a challenge.”
Ryan Abajero contributed to this report.
Esther David can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Esther_David_.