KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics on both sides of the state line. If you have a story idea to share, you can send Charlie an email at [email protected].

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Kansas City Chiefs fans lined up outside the GEHA Field parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium. more than 12 hours before Monday night’s kickoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It’s a family thing,” Ron Bowling said of why he arrives so early. “We do it as a family to get our place, to have space.”

John Batten

Across town, voters also lined up before dawn.

Voters have consistently waited about two hours in line at Jackson County’s two early voting locations since Oct. 22.

“I brought my water bottle, my bag and my family,” said voter Jennifer Cernech.

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The time, preparation and passion that voters and sports fans dedicate to their causes have many similarities.

Bowlin spends Chiefs games with his family. He also encourages his family to vote.

Cernech brings water and family to every soccer game.

There are also some differences.

Those who remain glued undoubtedly win in the food comparison. Fans like Bowlin and Seth Teague bring smokers, propane-powered flat stoves, and other cookware.

Teague thinks tailgating is more fun. He said fans have more opportunities to hone their craft since there are about 10 home games each season, while elections are less frequent.

“I would say it’s similar, but the voting public is not as prepared as we are,” Teague said.

John Batten

Lupe Zavala waited in both lines on Monday. He voted in the morning and planned to attend the Monday night game.

“Mentally you have to do it,” Zavala explained. “We have to be prepared to do this, get out and avoid this traffic.”

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Faith Jobe has never attended a Chiefs game, but the 19-year-old voted for the first time on Monday.

He had a hard time seeing the similarities between choosing a favorite player and voting for his favorite candidate.

“You’re stretching yourself a little bit,” Jobe told KSHB 41 News.

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The American flags flying at the football stadium and at polling places showed that there are more similarities than differences.

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