[Report] "I'm Nervous for My First Vote"... Long Lines at Early Voting Stations on a Weekday Morning

From University Students to Seniors,
Voters Gather at Yongjigwan Early Voting Station in Buk-gu on the 29th

At 7 a.m. on May 29, voters of various ages gathered at an early voting station in Buk-gu, Gwangju. University students, carrying backpacks, cast their votes before class, while office workers in shirts stopped by briefly on their way to work. An elderly voter in workout clothes said he had trouble sleeping the night before. The polling station was quiet, but people moved calmly in an atmosphere of tension.

Entrance of the early voting station set up at Yongjigwan, Chonnam National University, Bukgu, Gwangju. Photo by Bohyun Song

On the first floor of Yongjigwan Convention Hall at Chonnam National University in Buk-gu, Gwangju, citizens began entering the early voting station as soon as it opened. After having their IDs checked at the entrance, voters followed the staff's guidance into the polling station. Some sat and waited for identity verification, while others moved toward the voting booths at the direction of staff members wearing badges.

Lee Chanhyuk, a 20-year-old university student, said after voting with a friend, "It was both exciting and nerve-wracking since it's my first presidential election." Park Jinhye, 32, who stopped by on her way to work, said briefly, "I don't have time for a long interview. Anyway, I voted and completed the verification," before walking away.

Elderly voters in training suits moved slowly in line. A 77-year-old voter smiled and said, "I couldn't sleep since yesterday. I feel I have to come out because this is a matter of national importance."

Voters are verifying their identities at the early voting station. ID verification and ballot issuance are conducted simultaneously. Photo by Song Bohyun

At this local polling station, the movement of voters was divided based on their registered address. Local voters presented their ID, received their ballot, marked their choice, and immediately placed it in the ballot box. In contrast, out-of-district voters received a return envelope along with the ballot and were required to place the marked ballot in the envelope before depositing it in the ballot box.

The atmosphere inside the polling station was calm, but election staff checked the manual with tense expressions and reviewed the procedures. They repeatedly checked the voting equipment and frequently rearranged the floor guides. The National Election Commission paid particular attention to management, being conscious of past suspicions surrounding early voting.

A voter who has finished voting is placing the ballot paper into the ballot box. Photo by Song Boyun

This early voting period is different from previous ones in that it is held entirely on weekdays. From May 29, for two days, any voter can cast a ballot at any of the 3,568 early voting stations nationwide from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters aged 18 or older must bring a government-issued ID containing their date of birth and photo, such as a resident registration card, driver's license, or passport. Mobile IDs are also accepted. However, screenshots or image files are not recognized as valid identification.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.