Day at the Polls: Mayoral Race Highlights Ballot

As of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, only 170 voters out of about 1,500 registered residents in districts 16 and 31 had cast their ballots at the Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company, on Milltown Road.

With no national candidates on the ballot, most of the voters turning out were those that come every year.

“I feel it’s important to vote and make a statement," said resident Mirna Gonzalez. "I voted Republican because their values are closer to mine.”

For resident Joel Hentz the mayor’s race was at the top of his list.

“It will be good to get some new blood in here,” he said.

Residents Gail and Lou Weigle came out to vote Republican. While Lou Weigle said he will sometimes split his vote on local candidates, both said they are disgusted with the Democrats from top [President Obama] to bottom, especially those at the state level.

Nancy DiDario—who brought her granddaughters Gabriella, 14, and Alexandra, 13, with her—said she thinks “the mayors race is important this year, but really all races are equally important.”

Resident Lawrence Powers, a Republican Party voter challenger, said that while the turnout was light, it was about normal for an off-year election. The purpose of a voter challenger is not only to make sure that only properly registered voters vote, but, as a Republican, Powers will track registered Republicans and make targeted phone calls in the afternoon to help get out the vote.

At the Country Hills Fire Company, there were two Republican voter challengers and no Democrats, while, at the 4-H polling locatio,n it was the opposite with three Democratic challengers and no Republicans.

As far as the state public question on potentially legalizing wagering on sports events, most were in favor.

“I don’t see any problem with it, people are gambling anyway,” said resident Eva Calavano.