HAGERSTOWN, MD - Just as Hurricane Sandy hit Maryland, Governor Martin O'Malley cancelled early voting across the state.
"We still have had quite a few people stopping in, they've not heard that early voting had been cancelled," says Kaye Robucci, Election Director for Washington County.
So far, strong rain and wind hasn't stopped locals from trying to vote.
"I come out today to vote thinking everything would be a go, but I didn't realize on the news they had it that we weren't voting. I would hope that it won't have that major effect on everybody, because I'm hoping everybody will come out and vote," says Dennis Nave, a local resident.
Election officials say 2,500 Washington County residents already cast their ballot in the first two days of early voting; they're confident this weather won't keep people from the polls.
"Based on what we saw Saturday and Sunday, once we open back up, we are going to have a big turnout; at least we hope so. We will be here, we'll be prepared, but what we saw Saturday and Sunday with the lines around the building, everyone was so patient," says Robucci.
Early voting centers are prepared for power outages from the storm.
"We have on-site two generators, which will power our voting units and our poll books. So we are prepared that way," says John Benchoff, President of the Board of Elections for Washington County.
Officials say they're anxious to open their doors as soon as they receive word from the Governor.
"We're on uncharted territory, just like everyone else across the state is. We're doing what we can and we hope to be able to satisfy people when they come to vote," says Benchoff.
"I hope you come out and vote because you sure can't complain if you don't," reminds Nave.
Hurricane Sandy is reported to be a slow-moving storm, but many voters are hoping re-opening the polls is quicker.
Governor O'Malley just closed the early voting polls in Maryland tomorrow, Tuesday, October 30, but extended early voting until Friday, November 2.
Early voting in West Virginia has not been cancelled.
To stay up-to-date with poll schedules see Maryland's voter website, and West Virginia's voter website.
"We still have had quite a few people stopping in, they've not heard that early voting had been cancelled," says Kaye Robucci, Election Director for Washington County.
So far, strong rain and wind hasn't stopped locals from trying to vote.
"I come out today to vote thinking everything would be a go, but I didn't realize on the news they had it that we weren't voting. I would hope that it won't have that major effect on everybody, because I'm hoping everybody will come out and vote," says Dennis Nave, a local resident.
Election officials say 2,500 Washington County residents already cast their ballot in the first two days of early voting; they're confident this weather won't keep people from the polls.
"Based on what we saw Saturday and Sunday, once we open back up, we are going to have a big turnout; at least we hope so. We will be here, we'll be prepared, but what we saw Saturday and Sunday with the lines around the building, everyone was so patient," says Robucci.
Early voting centers are prepared for power outages from the storm.
"We have on-site two generators, which will power our voting units and our poll books. So we are prepared that way," says John Benchoff, President of the Board of Elections for Washington County.
Officials say they're anxious to open their doors as soon as they receive word from the Governor.
"We're on uncharted territory, just like everyone else across the state is. We're doing what we can and we hope to be able to satisfy people when they come to vote," says Benchoff.
"I hope you come out and vote because you sure can't complain if you don't," reminds Nave.
Hurricane Sandy is reported to be a slow-moving storm, but many voters are hoping re-opening the polls is quicker.
Governor O'Malley just closed the early voting polls in Maryland tomorrow, Tuesday, October 30, but extended early voting until Friday, November 2.
Early voting in West Virginia has not been cancelled.
To stay up-to-date with poll schedules see Maryland's voter website, and West Virginia's voter website.
