Sun setting on 2016 election

The countdown to the conclusion of the 2016 election is officially on and, with polls closing in Delaware at 8 p.m., folks are ready for the marathon day to end.

As the setting sun dipped below the trees to the west, Laurene Perdy said she had been at Beacon Middle School showing support for the Republican party since the polls opened at 7 a.m. She and a few other employees sat under a pop-up tent that had a multi-tiered fruit basket hanging from the back post.

It gets more elaborate every election, said Perdy, who has been helping the GOP since 2006.

“We’ve learned what to bring to make it through the day,” she said, pointing to the cooler of drinks, chairs and hats.

Amy Johnson was at the school supporting Pete Schwartzkopf. She drove from Millville. She said she was helping with the campaign because Schwartzkopf supported the schools, and she works for Indian River School District.

Johnson said she enjoyed meeting people from other districts. She was also ready for the election season to be over with.

“Whoever wins, there will be issues they have to face immediately,” she said.

The Cape Gazette will be live tonight from the GOP’s election night party at the Sussex County Association Of Realtors. The party begins at 7 p.m.

Election results will be posted as soon as they begin to be reported after the polls close at 8 p.m.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Registered voters can find their polling location and sample ballot on the Department of Elections’ website at ivote.de.gov.

In Delaware, voters do not have to show proof of identification before being allowed to vote, but according to the Delaware Department of Elections website, showing an ID makes checking in faster and reduces mistakes. If no ID is shown, a form must be filled out before a person can vote.

Acceptable forms of ID include a Delaware driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport, signed polling place or Social Security card, a signed vehicle registration, a signed credit card with photo, or similar document that identifies the person by photo or signature.

For more information, call the Sussex County Department of Elections at 302-856-5367 or go to their website at electionssc.delaware.gov.