Polling stations across the country bustled with citizens casting their ballots from 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the day of the main vote for the 9th nationwide local elections. Some polling stations saw long lines of citizens "open-running" before voting even began. The age range was diverse, including 18-year-old high school seniors casting their first-ever vote, men in their 30s stopping by polling stations before morning workouts, and elderly voters making their way to the polls early in the morning with canes.
Polling stations in Seoul's Gangseo, Dongjak, and Yeongdeungpo districts visited on the day showed long lines from early in the morning. Unlike early voting, which was dominated by office workers in their 20s to 40s, those who came to vote on the main voting day were mostly middle-aged and older.
Kim, a 60-something who had just finished voting at a polling station in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District, said, "In the past, I voted based on the party, but this year I looked at the election pamphlets delivered by mail and chose a candidate whose pledges could actually help the region, regardless of party. There has been little development in this area for a long time. It's time for change." Jung, a 70-something who visited a polling station in Hwagok-dong, Gangseo District, Seoul, with her daughter, said, "I came out early because I thought I'd have to stand in line for a long time in the heat if I came in the afternoon," adding, "Policies for the elderly are important, but shouldn't we now choose candidates with policies for future generations?"
Unique polling stations also drew attention. The 2nd polling station of Namgajwa 2-dong in Seoul's Seodaemun District, set up at a car tinting shop, did not have long lines but saw a steady stream of elderly visitors. Some citizens took photos, finding the tinting shop turned polling station novel, but local residents naturally walked inside as if accustomed to it. Seo, a 70-something who visited the polling station, said, "It's been a while since the tinting shop became a polling station, so I'm used to it, but outsiders find it interesting and some come on purpose," adding, "Elderly people use buses frequently, so I chose a candidate who pledged to diversify bus routes."
Other unique polling stations that caught voters' eyes included the 1st polling station of Suyu 3-dong in Seoul's Gangbuk District set up at the bakery "Lala Bread," the 3rd polling station of Neung-dong in Gwangjin District installed at a Kia Motors Daegongwon dealership, and the 5th polling station of Hwagok 8-dong transformed from the Hyundai Taekwondo gym. The Dongseo Glass warehouse in Sinwol-dong, Yangcheon District, the indoor training center of the Cheonggu Elementary School baseball team in Jung District, and the L Convention VIP Room in Guro District also operated as polling stations.
Some polling stations were quiet. The polling station set up at the Singil 3-dong community service center in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District, visited at 6:30 a.m. on the day, appeared relatively relaxed. One citizen who visited the polling station was caught attempting to leave after marking only the first three ballots issued, unaware that voting was conducted with seven ballots divided into three for the superintendent of education, metropolitan mayor and provincial governor, and district/city/county head, and four for local-constituency metropolitan/provincial council members, local-constituency district/city/county council members, proportional representation metropolitan/provincial council members, and proportional representation district/city/county council members. The voter was guided back into the polling area by an election worker.
Various election-related incidents also occurred. At 6:28 a.m. at a polling station in Seoul's Dongdaemun District, a man in his 60s who attempted to leave the polling booth without inserting his ballot was stopped, and was apprehended by police after causing a disturbance by shouting. Around 7:40 a.m. at a polling station in Seoul's Guro District, a man in his 60s who had come to the wrong location caused a disturbance and assaulted an election worker's arm after being directed to the correct main polling station, and was arrested. Police plan to launch investigations against them. As of 9 a.m. on the day, a total of 88 reports related to the election were received nationwide. By type, there were 14 cases of voting interference and disturbances, three cases of traffic inconvenience, and 71 other cases (including misidentifications). A total of 33 emergency calls were received within Seoul.
Voting is conducted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day. Main voting can only be done at the designated polling station for one's place of residence, and an ID such as a resident registration card or driver's license must be presented. Mobile IDs can also be used, but voters must run them directly through the application to be able to vote. Ballots must be marked only once and only with the designated marking tool. "Voting selfies" can be taken, but photography inside the polling station is prohibited, and directly photographing the ballot may be subject to punishment.
