Early Voting: 'I Just Feel Like I Need to Vote'

Cathy Godfrey wanted to vote early.

"I'd planned to vote Monday," she said, adding with a laugh, "And Tuesday and Wednesday."  

But it was Friday by the time she made it to the polls,  a day after early voting was supposed to have ended.

Early voting was cancelled on Monday and Tuesday --  due Hurricane Sandy -- and not originally schedule for Friday. 

Godfrey was not the only person who took time out Friday cast a ballot ahead of next week's General Election. In fact, by Friday afternoon, turnout for early voting had already exceeded that of 2010 in 22 of 24 jurisdictions in the state.

"It's the convenience factor," Godfrey said as she was leaving the Ellicott City Senior Center. Looking back at the line out the door she added, "Though it may be more convenient to vote Tuesday,  with these crowds."

In Howard County, more than 12 percent of eligible voters took part in early voting; an increase of about 4 percent over 2010 early voting numbers.

She was not particularly interested in any one race, but, Godfrey said, "I just feel like I need to vote. For everything."

Related:

- Early Voting Surpases 2010 Election

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- Ballot Questions Could Reshape Maryland's Social Landscape

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