With two local races attracting voter interest, town clerks and poll workers around the Island were reporting steady turnout Tuesday for the state primary.
Polls are open in every town from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The two key contests on the Island are for Dukes County clerk of courts and county register of probate.
T. George Davis and Charles Morano are both seeking the Democratic nomination to run for the seat being vacated by longtime clerk of courts Joseph E. Sollitto Jr., who is retiring. Both candidates are well-known Island attorneys.
In the register of probate race, acting register Daphne Devries is running on the Democratic primary ticket against Gail Barmakian, an Oak Bluffs selectman.
In West Tisbury, town clerk Tara Whiting said 457 voters had cast ballots by just after 2 p.m.
“It’s been very busy. I don’t think there’s been a lull all day,” Ms. Whiting said.
Campaigners stood outside the town public safety building holding signs.
In Chilmark, it was quiet outside the Community Center, but town clerk Jennifer Christy reported that voter turnout had been steady in the small town, where there are 996 registered voters. By 3 p.m. 233 voters had cast ballots. “A fair turnout so far,” the town clerk said.
Longtime Chilmarker Bridget Tobin said she came for the local races. “Local elections are very important. They decide a lot of things for us on this Island,” she said.
“It’s terrifically important to vote. It’s our democratic duty,” said voter Anne Ganz.
In Aquinnah 66 voters had cast ballots by just before 4 p.m., a good turnout, town clerk Gabriella Cammileri said.
“There’s been a lot of excitement today,” she said, recounting the story of seeing a large crowd outside the town hall window. “I didn’t recognize any of them and thought they might be voters that carpooled. Turns out it was a broken down tour bus.”
In Edgartown by early afternoon 547 voters out of the 3,685 registered had cast ballots, constable Scott Ellis said.
“Still greater than I expected, because state primaries are always slow,” he said
Voter Phyllis Cook said she thought the local races were bringing people out.
“There’s not usually a race. Normally there’s only one person in the running, but this one’s pretty interesting,” said Ms. Cook.
“I’m here because I believe voting is important and a civic duty,” said Susan Brown, who grew up in Edgartown. “What did Tip O’Neill say — all politics are local,” she said.
The town polling booths are from the 1950s, made of canvas and have red, white, and blue stripes along the front. “They’ve been here forever,” Mr. Ellis said.
In Oak Bluffs, by 2 p.m. 663 people had voted out of some 3,900 registered.
“It’s been steady all day long. Steady, that’s the word to use,” said Margaret Stafursky, a volunteer poll worker.
“These are trying times, and I think it’s very important to get involved and shape what we can,” said Oak Bluffs voter Martha Abbot.
Anne Carmichael Whiting agreed. “I’ve been voting in Oak Bluffs since I was 18, and now I’m 64, so you do the math. Voting’s important. It’s a right and an obligation,” she said.
Ms. Whiting seemed to know everyone who came out the door, greeting fellow voters with a “hey girl” or a “how you doing?”
In Tisbury, town clerk Hillary Conklin described the turnout as “slow but steady.” By 3 p.m., 628 of 3,354 voters had cast ballots, she said. “I would say that we actually have more people than I expected.”
Bettie and Mark Nickowal had their grandson Isaac Rendon, age six, in tow. “If you don’t vote, then there’s no reason to complain about anything.” Mr. Nickowal said.
“I like the sticker,” said Isaac.
A total of 14,882 voters across the Island are eligible to vote in the primary, according to information from town clerks.
Comments
Comment policy »