I was left running dangerously close to my maximum allowable time for voting, due to my own need to pick up my children from school across town at 2 PM. When another technician did not arrive, and the clerks threw up their hands in dismay, I whirled around found a manager, and demanded immediate assistance in increasingly louder tones. Within seconds, two technicians arrived, withdrew the voter’s name from the ballot box, and had me transferred to a new booth, where I voted as quickly as possible.
Other voters expressed their strong dislike for the waiting, yet many stuck around, rather than foregoing the annoyance and the vote. Many people came armed with lists of people they planned to vote for, while others grabbed lists provided by favored candidates and representative organizations. While some people seemed convinced of their choices, others scratched and scribbled their lists until entering the booths.
SMS messages from many of the Likud candidates ringing on their phones, voters were annoyed, yet curiously tolerant, ready to do what it takes to have their voices heard.