Golden Triangle Voting Experiences

WCBI's Cash Matlock joins us live from a precinct in Columbus with a lookout at turnout.

Good evening.

Thank you for joining us.

It's election night 2020.

Americans are at the poll picking a new president and deciding senate races.

Here in mississippi, there are also intiatives and the state flag on the ballot.

The polls will be open for another two hours.

That's where we begin our coverage.

Wcbi's cash matlock joins us live from a precinct in columbus with a lookout at turnout.

Aundrea i'm here at assembly of god church in columbus and we've got a pretty good crowd out here.

Poll workers tell me there's been a steady flow of voters all day.

There's no question that this election will have a high turnout... and you can't forget almost 200 thousand mississippians have requested absentee ballots.

Only about 113 thousand requested those in the 2016 election.

You can see there's several people waiting in line behind me.

Looking around i've noticed a lot of voters are following cdc recommendations.

They have their masks on, they're social distancing... folks here want their voices heard, but they also want to be safe.

If you haven't made it out to the polls yet, you still have plenty of time.

Polls don't close until 7 tonight.

If you're standing in line by 7 o'clock, you will still be allowed to vote.

So as long as you get here before 7, you're good to go.

Shot intro this election year is personal for many voters.

Wcbi's bobby martinez has spent the day at the starkville sportsplex where he talked with several people about what this election means to them... he joins us now live from starkville.

Ad lib toss to pkg ad lib toss to pkg election 2020.... sot - hannah kruse - starkville "we got two presidential candidates, very highly contested election that has a lot of repercussions in four years."

Carries a different meaning to each voter... sot - allen rex - starkville "it means a whole lot because i was a convicted felon federally in 1998 and i was incarcerated until 2008.

This is the first time i will be able to vote in that many years.

And with covid19 still in effect... patience was something voters had to rely on tuesday at the sportsplex in starkville... sot - hannah kruse - starkville "i got in line at 10:58 way back there.

I am not in the building yet.

It has been 21 minutes.

Honestly it is moving a bit quickly than i thought it would."

The time voters spent in line waiting to cast their vote..

Was a moment to reflect on their big decision.

Carla gates says with all that is taking place in the world..

It is important for her to vote this year..

Carla gates - starkville "anytime you know to vote is important to me but today was mostly important because of everything that is going on in the world.

I'm a mother, i have a son, i have a black son.

So this means everything to me not just for him but you know the entire world as a whole."

Nat sound of allen rex "came to vote... came to vote.."

But to allen rex..

He says the process for a convicted felon to vote wasn't an easy one.

And is hoping that will soon change... "this year you know federally and stuff needs change you know because we was convicted of a felon or whatever else you know, it shouldn't take away our rights.

It is just sad you know how congress and stuff you know goes against us instead of being there for us.

They say you know, you do your crime you pay your time... but you still can't get your right to vote."

Shot tag now polls do close at 7 p.

M.

And if you are in line by that time, you will still be able to cast your