Voting seemed to proceed smoothly in Polk County today, with lines much shorter than they'd been during early voting -- and a steady turnout.
An early rainfall didn't seem dampen spirits at the United Methodist Temple voting precinct in Lakeland. Democratic volunteer Melissah Bruce-Weiner was sitting in a folding chair outside the church with a mug of coffee, a large umbrella protecting her from the rain, and wearing a "democrat" sticker.
"I volunteer for the Democratic Party of Polk County," Bruce-Weiner said. "I'm here to greet people as they come to vote, and give them information on the justices, information on the amendments, point them in the right direction and promise them that I'm not leading them astray! And make sure that nothing goes on wrong."
Republican poll watcher Bill Leggett was inside the precinct, observing the voting process. He says he's been a poll watcher for 24 years in several states, and that this isn't the first time there have been concerns about people being kept away from the polls.
"It was much worse in late '60s and early '70s than it is now," Leggett said. "Nobody's getting turned away here, which is really nice."
Leggett credited a group called VIS with helping people who were having difficulties with the process.
The Polk County Supervisor of Elections' office reported no problems with voting in the county.
