Study Confirms Long Waits For Voters In Forsyth County

Forsyth County is among about a dozen counties that reported voter wait times of an hour or longer in the 2014 general election. The numbers come from a new survey released this month by the State Board of Elections. 

The report shows that in Forsyth County, the wait time reached an hour at 17 of 101 precincts. That's the most incidents reported in one county.

The Winston-Salem Journal says the survey was undertaken as part of an effort by the state to improve the process and experience of voting in North Carolina elections.

On Election Day, 11 counties – including Forsyth and nearby urban counties like Davidson and Guilford – had a wait time of an hour or more at some point.

Steve Hines, director of the Forsyth County Board of Elections, says he isn't surprised by the report.

Forsyth County saw high voter turnout on Election Day and had several instances of voting machines breaking down.

The county Elections Board has approved a set of recommendations Hines submitted in January, including hiring more assistants at the polls, and updating aging voting equipment.