The polls may close soon, but #StayInLine

The lines to vote may be long and the polls may close soon, but people on Twitter are encouraging voters to #StayInLine.

The hashtag #StayInLine began trending nationwide on Twitter, as people encouraged those experiencing long wait times to stay strong even if the polls are about to close.

But can people vote if the polls are closed?  Voters that are in line when the polls close will still be able to cast their votes, Edward B. Foley, Director of the Election Law at Ohio State University's Mortiz College of Law, said in a Medium post. 

"It’s one of the most basic principles of electoral democracy: if you go to the polls when they are open, and you are a registered and qualified voter, then as long as you wait in line, you are entitled to cast your ballot even if the line is so long that you must wait until after the scheduled time for the polls to close," Foley said.

Georgia congressman John Lewis tweeted several reminders urging voters to stay put. He noted that long lines are nothing compared to what others endured for the right to vote.

If anyone tries to keep you from voting or tells you to leave, you can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or file a complaint with the United States Department of Justice here. 

More election coverage from USA TODAY:

• How to make sense of what's happening as polls close
• Plot Trump's or Clinton's path to 270 electoral votes
• See the latest national and state presidential polling averages
• Check out poll closing times in each state
• Candidate info and ratings for all races