Published in the April 26, 2016 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Despite several contested races on the ballot, voter turnout expectations were not high for for today’s town election, and the cold, raw weather forecast for today isn’t likely to help matters.
Precincts 1 and 7, which vote at the Wakefield Masonic Lodge on Salem Street, had seen a combined 32 voters as of 8 a.m. this morning. Precinct 1 had logged 22 voters to Precinct 7’s 10 in the first hour of voting. The polls opened at 7 a.m.
Precinct 1 Warden Pat Schneider characterized today’s early turnout as “very low,” adding that she was “not expecting a big turnout” like the the March presidential primary where more than half of Precinct 1’s 2,700 voters participated. She noted that the wet weather forecast may further put a damper on today’s vote.
Schneider said that there were five people waiting at the door when the polls opened at 7 a.m. She held out hope that there would be more voter activity at lunchtime and after people get out of work.
“I like to see democracy working,” Schneider said.
At 10 a.m., only 453 of the 18,167 residents eligible to vote had cast ballots, a 2.49 percent turnout.
The breakdown, with the total number of registered voters in each precinct in parentheses, follows: Precinct 1, 65 (2,740); Precinct 2, 41 (2,370); Precinct 3, 54 (2,600); Precinct 4, 65 (2,419); Precinct 5, 73 (2,746); Precinct 6, 81 (2,744) and Precinct 7, 74 (2,548).
Today’s town election features contested races for Board of Selectmen, School Committee and a rare contest to fill the vacant Town Clerk’s position between current selectman Betsy Sheeran and Pierce Avenue resident Kristen Henshaw. There is also a race with four candidates running for two three-year positions as Constable.
The polls will remain open until 8 p.m. tonight.
