‘Never seen anything like it’: unprecedented lines at Olive Branch polls leave voters waiting hours

OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. (WMC) - Long lines continued into the evening Tuesday in Olive Branch, with some voters waiting hours to cast their ballots as heavy turnout and reported voting equipment issues caused delays.

At the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the line stretched around the building throughout the day. Intermittent rain led voters inside around 5 p.m., but shortly after, an overflow line began forming again outside because of overcrowding. One voter told Action News 5 that the line appeared to move faster once people waited indoors.

Several voters said they were surprised by the turnout, particularly during a midterm election when they typically expect to get in and out of their polling place quickly.

Sharon Kotcki, who said she has voted at the church for 15 years, described reported problems with the voting equipment. She said voters were initially told no voting machines were available. Voters were later told the paper ballots had run out before officials brought in additional machines.

According to Kotcki, the location eventually had three machines available, and the only other time she remembers seeing a line this long was during the 2020 presidential election.

Other longtime voters shared similar reactions. David and Sondra Blackburn said they’ve voted at the location for 37 years and have never seen turnout like Tuesday’s.

They said they typically see only three or four cars in the parking lot when they arrive for a midterm election.

Despite the long waits and changing weather, voters said they were determined to stay.

Kory Terry described the experience as a long wait but said the time was worth it. He said he was voting because he wanted to see change for himself and fellow residents across the county and state.

The turnout comes as Mississippi voters decide a closely watched U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic challenger Scott Colom.

Action News 5 reached out to the DeSoto County Election Commission and Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office for information about the reported equipment issues and long lines. Neither had responded at the time of publication.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.