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| Updated: 5/22/2012 1:44 pm |
Published: 5/21/2012 7:56 pm |
LITTLE ROCK, AR - Monday night, the Arkansas Secretary of State's Office announced 88,000 registered voters took advantage of early voting state-wide in the primary election.
Nearly 8,800 people voted early in Pulaski County, that's a 14-percent drop from 2008's presidential primary, which was held in February.
Early voters told FOX16 Monday that they vote early because they want a say in our country's future.
With just minutes to go until the early voting deadline Monday, candidates and campaigners crowded the sidewalks near the Pulaski County Election Commission building hoping to pick up last minute votes.
"There are several people that I know. One in particular, Tjuana Byrd. When I was parking, I saw her and I told her, I'm doing all this for you girl," says voter Zelma Polk.
Polk loves the convenience of early voting.
"I wanted to make sure I got my ballot in before it was too late because tomorrow I do have to work late and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get it off," she says.
In Pulaski County, Mattie Davis, who says she supports Democrats, also voted early.
"Lower income family members are losing. They're not gaining anything. Only somebody getting help is the rich," Davis says.
But, no matter your views, many early voters take issue with those who choose not to vote, then complain about politics.
"And, they do because they don't understand like, well, I voted in the primary, why do I have to vote again in the general? It's for a good purpose. I mean, I try to explain it to them, the reasons why, but it's important to vote," says Tammy Harrell
"It's their fault. If you're sitting at home and you're not participating in something and then you're losing so much and then you're wondering why you can't get anything, that's the reason why. You're sitting at home," says Davis.
Polls open Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 at night in Arkansas.
