Fulton County says superstar Usher was a model citizen when he voted in Roswell on Tuesday, though not everyone agrees.
Local resident Alan Christian told Roswell Patch that the international celebrity was able to skip past long lines of waiting voters with his own photographers in tow, despite posted signs that prohibit pictures and videos to be taken in the polling area.
"They let anyone 75 and above to front of line; no problem there," wrote Christian in an e-mail to Roswell Patch. "In walks Usher, they take him to the front of the line. He has someone there taking pictures of him and video, then he walks in front of everyone to the voting booth. He pulls out his camera and starts taking pictures of himself voting."
Bob Giordano, a spokesperson with the Fulton County Office of Communications, confirmed that Usher Raymond stopped in at Roswell Area Park's Bill Johnson Community Activities Center to vote this morning.
"Yes, he did take photos," said Giordano. "But not of the voting machines. He was taken off into a corner and people took photos of him and posed with him. But none of the voting machines were in any of the photos."
Christian said poll worker volunteers seemed "taken" with Usher's celebrity.
"In the voting process, this should not be allowed," wrote Christian.
What do you think? Do you agree that celebrities should not be given anything resembling preferential treatment? Or does celebrity status garner special privileges?
Trevor de Koekkoek
4:40 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Fulton county officials that allowed this should be fired. End of story. Disgraceful. And Usher is a disgrace for presuming himself above other people.
Rich Fiorenza
9:05 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I was at the Bill Johnson Center most of the morning playing racquet ball. There wwas no delay or long lines at all during that time. Those handling the voting center did a great job of keeping things going. The same was true where I voted at the Fellowship Center. Fulton County may have problems. But, not in Roswell area.
Tomiyo Williams
2:54 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
I certainly agree with you Trevor. I was in the mall once when Usher came into the store where I was shopping. All customers were kicked out of the store and the store was shut down until he finished shopping. This was like on a weekday afternoon in the middle of the day. Completely unacceptable. He has a history of this kind of priviledged behavior.
Justin
8:25 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Relax Trevor. You are assuming Usher "presumed himself above other people." It could have been a PR move by election officials, Twitter, MTV, etc. No one knows. What we do know is that he's a good guy, gives back to the community and donates time and money with his busy schedule.
Todd
9:12 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Usher standing in line would likely have caused a great deal of commotion, but a better solution would have been to quietly usher him to that corner voting booth to perform his civic duty without the cameras.
Philip Beck
1:38 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Maybe someone in his entourage should introduce him to the option of casting an absentee ballot. Although, he wouldn't have had the same experience doing that.
April
4:58 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I agree with Philip! He should have casted an absentee ballot or stood in line and I also agree that the officials should be fired!
karen
5:23 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
doubt this would've been a problem had he been a white celebrity
Roswell voter
9:39 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Race? Entourage? Silliness!
I'm glad the man voted.
He is a celebrity and I'd rather he be given this somewhat (barely) special treatment than cause an uproar for everyone else.
lee Turner
6:55 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
Cause an uproar?????????? Are the people of Roswell even stupider than what I already know? What kind of IDIOT makes an "uproar" over any other human being? Usher puts on his pants like everybody else - he just happens to be in the entertainment business. People who worship celebrities are emotionally retarded mental midgets who shouldn't be voting at all. If you're keeping up with the Kardashians, or otherwise worshipping celebrities, you're not terribly bright! Besides, Usher probably would've gone unrecognized if he'd just stood in line with everybody else. Maybe that's it - his ego couldn't take being unrecognized. Or maybe he couldn't bear being laughed at for marrying that obvious gold-digger who is now taking him to the cleaners.
Carol Millard
8:44 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Last election he and his entourage double parked on Roswell Rd at the North Fulton Complex during early voting. He was wisked to the front of the line all on camera for a video " Get out and Vote".
MsMesha
1:12 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012
I am moving to Roswell and I can't wait. This type of thing is exciting coming from where I come from.
samantha
6:01 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wow I have to feel sorry for usher because I know the he wishes for a normal life and of course everyone loves getting money but something's money just can't buy like love and a peace of mind