Alameda County voters turned out in a downpour on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In Berkeley, one official drop box couldn't keep up with them.
The overflowing box
The drop box at the Claremont Branch Library was overstuffed with ballots by 9 a.m., according to Berkeley resident Olivia Werby, Berkeleyside reported. Werby said she saw "ballots literally hanging out of the box opening" and watched at least 20 people arrive in the rain and turn away.
A librarian at the branch confirmed that the box was "overflowing" for about an hour until Registrar of Voters workers emptied it. The registrar's office had not answered Berkeleyside's questions about the incident. Drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Turnout and the rain
Alameda County Registrar of Voters Cynthia Cornejo told KQED that turnout was a little over 30% as of Monday night and that morning traffic was strong. "We've had rain before on Election Day, especially in November, and voters turn out regardless," she said. "We're happy to see it."
What brought Berkeley voters out
Many Berkeley voters said they came out for Proposition 40, the billionaires' tax, and for the regional transit measure. Edward Moore, 80, said he voted for the transit tax "because I think it's important for people to be able to get around and get to work." He also backed Measure U, the city's $300 million infrastructure bond, and Measure Y, an arts parcel tax, despite worries about rising property taxes. Four Berkeley City Council seats are also on the ballot.
Explainers: Berkeley measures cheat sheet and the regional transit measure.
No results had been released when this story was published. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m.