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.
