LA voters endure hours-long waits to cast early ballots
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Thousands of Los Angeles County voters waited for hours on Sunday to cast their votes early in the presidential election.
The county offers five locations on weekends for voters to cast early ballots, in addition to the main county office in Norwalk that is also open during the week for early voters.
Lines stretched around the block at most locations, with some voters remaining in line for three or four hours before casting their ballots. Many in line Sunday said they had first tried on Saturday and found the wait even worse so returned the next day.
Most said they were unable to cast their votes on Tuesday because of work or travel plans.
Voter Andrew Lohn said he was actually glad to have waited "only" three hours.
"Yesterday they said it was four hours," Lohn said. "So I was expecting about four hours. Pleasant surprise to be only three hours."
Over this final weekend before the election, more than 17,700 voters cast early ballots, according to County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan. On Tuesday, the county expects to have an average of 690 voters per precinct, with 4,523 polling places open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Logan said.
Among the crowd in North Hollywood was actor Anthony Anderson, who came with his daughter as she voted for the first time.
"I wouldn't be in line today - I would vote by mail," Anderson said. "But I stand as a proud father to be here with my daughter for the first time. And a very big controversial election this year. So I'm excited that she's here and I'm here with her to support her."
