Day at the Polls: There Will Be Change

Although many came out to the polls to exercise a simple right to vote, for some, it was a way of participating in a change for Bridgewater.

"It is my right to vote, and there will be change," said resident Jon Lewis, as he left the polls at Blessed Sacrament Church and Parish Center on Washington Valley Road. "I'm tired of the same old same old."

Lewis said he is ready for a change, and the opportunity for a new mayor, as well as legislators in the new district, were incentives to get him out to the polls.

"It's important, and we live in a democracy where no one realizes we can affect change," he said. "I do think people have a lack of focus on the mayoral race."

"Politics in this town has gotten sleepy," he added.

For Lewis, he said he believes there are people who just are not aware of the changes going on in town, and the fact, even, that Tuesday is election day.

"People don't even know to vote," he said. "I think many are still in a state of shock about the economy. They don't think they can affect change."

And for resident Ken Lewis, he also just wanted to exercise his vote for a change. Expressing disappointment with the way the town is run now, he said he just came out to the polls to vote for Independent candidate for mayor George Jones.

"I don't follow a lot of politics, but I just wanted to vote for him," he said.

Republican incumbent candidate for council Christine Henderson Rose said they cannot predict the outcome of the elections at this point, but that no matter what, Bridgewater will be a little different come January.

"Regardless of who wins, this vote represents change," she said.

Rose said the turnout often depends on the issues at hand, and what is happening in the township at the time.

"For people who are hard voters, it doesn't matter what the issues are," she said. "And maybe some people talk about things that are more issues-driven. But people seem to be happy in the township."

In addition, Rose said, she and her fellow Republican candidates have tried to do what they can to get the word out about the new legislative candidates in the 23rd district.

"In phone calls, we have made the effort to say that the top of the ballot is new," she said. "We put up signs to help people understand that there is something different."

"There is always the concern about no recognition for some people," she added. "But the Senate and Assembly candidates have been knocking on doors too."

Democratic candidate for council Mary Pranzatelli said she has noticed a large turnout around the township, but she is seeing lots of independent voters.

"I don't know who will come after 6 p.m., that's a mystery right now," she said. "But there could be a lot of factors making people vote, like the three-way mayoral race, the national tone, the affect of the Republican primary battle."

Still, Rose said, she believes all candidates have done everything they can to get their names out to the general public.

"I feel we have done what we are supposed to be doing on council," she said. "If people agree, I will be back in January. If not, I will be doing something else."

Pranzatelli said she learned a great deal going door-to-door, and got a chance to talk to residents about issues they are concerned with for the coming year.

"And one resident said he wants to see us after the election too," she said. "He's right. We have to keep in touch with the community."

"But there was a very positive feeling going around," she added. "It was rare that someone was mad I knocked on the door."

Republican candidate for mayor Dan Hayes said he still likes to think that people are mostly heading to the polls because of a sense of their civic duty, and not for any other specific reason.

"They understand there is a mayoral race, and we are hoping they do come out," he said. "Politics is local."

But most importantly, Hayes said, is the fact that the election determines the direction of the township.

"It impacts our quality of life," he said. "The more people who come the better. We can have more people deciding our future."

Ray Koziol, who headed to the polls with his wife Andrea, said they vote every year just to exercise that right. And this year, he said, is of course just as important as any other year.

"It's an important election locally, and I think more people are out because of it," he said. "I think people will do their research and look at bios of candidates to base their votes on that."

And it's that desire for change, Koziol said, that brings people out.

"I think with the shape the country is in right now, this gets people to have a voice because they are unhappy."