Long lines, slow voting at Centennial Hall in Colorado Springs
A large number of last-minute voters clogged the election process Tuesday at Centennial Hall in downtown Colorado Springs.
The line for people entering the polling center remained long from 4 p.m. until the polls closed at 7 p.m. Voters needed an hour to get through the line and fill out their ballots.
About a dozen people were turned away when they arrived to vote after the 7 p.m. deadline, including those who wanted to drop off mail-in ballots.
The late arrivals appeared surprised, disappointed and frustrated. One man tore up his mail-in ballot and threw it on the ground.
People who were already in line at 7 p.m. were allowed to vote.
The line of people dropping off ballots wasn’t as long but remained steady during the evening.
Most people who waited late to vote said it was because they misplaced — or didn’t receive — a mail-in ballot.
Adding to the congestion, some voters said, was the lack of a ballot box they could conveniently drive up to. Without it, voters were forced to find a parking place, pay to park and walk to the ballot box slot.
A group of volunteers brought pizza and other snacks for voters later in the evening.
