Elections Board Deluged With Phone Calls Today

Virginia's Democratic and Republican primary is next Tuesday, but more than 400 people have called the State Board of Elections as of 12:30 p.m. today asking "why aren't my polls opened and where do I go to vote?," according to Susan S. Pollard, a spokeswoman for the board.

The board receives 150 to 200 phone calls on an average day. The board sent out a press release this afternoon asking the media to remind everyone the election is Feb. 12, not today. A lot of people are also calling to ask who is eligible to vote in either the Democratic and Republican primary. In Virginia, there is no party registration so someone can decide at the polling place on Election Day which primary they want to participate in.

"There is definitely interest in the upcoming primaries," Pollard said. "To receive so many calls asking about Super Tuesday and when we vote in Virginia is unheard of. Granted we have to wait and see, but I think turnout (next Tuesday) will be a bit more than people originally anticipated."