Rain or shine, hundreds stood in line to vote in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A fight to the finish. This mid-term election became a high-intensity fight between republicans and democrats.

WWAY’s Matt Bennett was at the Whiteville Rescue Unit and said there was a steady stream of people coming in and out Tuesday evening at Columbus County’s 19th precinct.

The site’s chief judge at the polling location says about 475 people had voted as of 5:45 p.m. Tuesday and about 750 more voted early.

With 2,521 people in this precinct, that means just under half of them have voted.

Showers rolled through Tabor City this evening right before polls closed, but many continued to stand in line to get cast their ballot.

One voter said she brings her son with her every year and this year she brought her friend’s son as well to teach them the importance of voting.

“Young people need to know that they have a voice as well,” Karen Warwick said. “When they turn 18 it’s important for them to be a part of our voting process, and we want them to grow up and learn why it’s important to put the right people in office, for their futures.”

Officials say a computer malfunction slowed things down earlier in the day, but that was quickly taken care of and they have been busy ever since.

The polls hours were extended at a polling location in Tabor City after a worker failed to pick up a box of ballots at the board of elections office and caused a delay Tuesday morning.