Robert L. Decker: Students’ ordeal to vote

Hundreds of N.C. State students braved frustratingly long lines at the Pullen Community Center for up to three hours or more in order to cast their votes in the important national and state elections. That’s right, three hours.

What occurred was unacceptable! It was readily apparent that the Wake County Board of Elections put little or no effort into analyzing the scope and size of the population intending to vote, reviewing historical trends and lessons learned, adequately resourcing the Pullen voting center or monitoring the process first-hand.

Had Wake County officials been on-hand, obvious leadership interventions could have facilitated and expedited student voting. This never occurred.

What makes matters worse, young voters, many first-timers, desired nothing more than having their voices heard in the future of the state and country they love. Instead, many departed after this long ordeal frustrated by the gross mismanagement of their local government. Others simply resented the countless hours lost of their invaluable time for studying and preparing for exams.

This day meant so much to the students, but seemingly to Wake officials it was just another check-the-block event. Surely, heads should roll for the gross incompetence displayed by the Wake County board. But sadly, knowing politics as I do, nothing will happen.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Robert L. Decker: Students’ ordeal to vote."