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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 8:05 a.m., Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Makiki resident first in line as polls open

Advertiser Staff

At 6:55 a.m. this morning, about 10 eager voters stood outside the Roosevelt High School gymnansium waiting for their polling place to open.

First in line was George McCloskey of Makiki, who arrived at 6:10 a.m.

McCloskey already had his game plan worked out.

In one hand, he held a voter guide sheet supplied by the National Rifle Association and Hawaii Rifle Association on state constitutional amendments and candidate preferences.

In the other hand was a brochure on city charter amendments that he had already gone through.

"I'm supposed to start work at 7 a.m. and I don't want to get stuck in a long line," McCloskey, 61, said. "I'm first in line all the time."

McCloskey said he closely follows the NRA and Hawaii Rifle Association recommendations.

"I'm a passionate guy and I believe in 'the system' but I hate what's happening to it."

Precinct chairperson Lilla Le Vine arrived at Roosevelt at 4:45 a.m. to make sure everything was in order.

Her crew of about a dozen poll workers had done the necessary checks and were waiting for the 7 a.m. start.

"I'm originally from New Zealand and I'm a naturalized citizen now.

"It's my way of giving back to my country," La Vine said. "I feel like it's my civic duty."

At 7 a.m., McCloskey and other voters made their way into the gym to vote.