Vote Harley

[Wrightturn]

Harley Davidson Shop Used As Voting Precinct
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 – updated: 1:36 pm EST November 4, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Voters lined up Tuesday at the Harley Davidson shop in east Orange County. The Supervisor of Elections Office said some polling sites had to be changed this year.

When voters in east Orange County pulled up at Precinct 448, they were surprised to see they were at the east Orlando Harley Davidson shop.

"I thought it was kind of strange, then thought maybe I should buy a bike while I'm here," voter David Holiday said.

Eyewitness News checked with the Supervisor of Elections Office to find out why people were voting at such an unusual place. It turns out many polling sites have been changed this year because of the Jessica Lunsford Act. It was put in place in 2005 to keep sex offenders and predators away from schools.

For the most part, every other polling site in Orange County has been set up at churches and community centers. Harley Davidson was chosen for the neighborhood because of its central location.

Employees brought out chairs while people waited in the line that was more than an hour around noon. The line wrapped around the bikes outside and voters were being shuffled through the show room, past more bikes and merchandise before they get to the room where the polling stations are set up.

Voters said it is cramped.

"It's a little room full of people and machines. The room is about 15 by 20 feet," voter Bill Benson said.

Eyewitness News checked and there are about 10 polling sites at schools. They have been reportedly checked out and poll supervisors felt they were safe enough.

[Hammerhead Pat]

Good move by the dealership. I'm sure they got some impulse business but still provided a service to the community. As far as having to stand in line for an hour, I did that last week, so if they were expecting to just walk up on the last and walk right in, I want some of what they're on.