Sunday, August 10, 2014: Election Day

German journalists were there to observe the voting

Heading to the polls

Sunday, August 10, 2014: Election Day in Küzgüncük

Polls opened at 8:00am, but despite some initial concern about lines, we didn't intend to be up and ready to walk up the hill that early. We started over at 10:00am, joining a march of Küzgüncük residents as they treaded up the steep hill to the primary school.

Residents filed in and found their polling rooms

 Unfortunately for the turnout, but fortunately for us, there were no lines at all. Residents kissed and greeted each other in the hallways of the school, and neatly turned in to the room corresponding to their address. The only issue on the ballot was for whom to vote for president, and with the three choices well known to all, it took hardly a minute to stamp their choice and submit their ballot in a neat envelope to the poll worker.

ID Cards were checked and ballots distributed
After this photo I was asked to put away my camera

Checking the for their name posted outside the door

When done voting, signs welcomed voters to relax in the
garden or the tea room

We suspected that the members of the
AKParty we saw in the garden were not locals.

A voting official present in the garden suspected that turnout would be low: 60-70%. High for American standards, but low for Turkey. Results won't be official until the end of the week. Supporters for either of the two opposition candidates are hoping for a runoff, but the fear is not whether Erdogan will win, but just by how much.