ESSEX — Town Clerk Ann Dunne reported light election polling activity midafternoon on Monday.
“It’s not busy,” she said. “It’s slow. It’s been a low turnout.”
There were nine races, not one contested, and eight candidates, on the ballot. There was no candidate for a Housing Authority seat.
The polls closed at 8 p.m. and despite the low turnout, results of the election were not ready at press-time Monday night. For the final tallies, please visit gloucestertimes.com or see Wednesday’s edition of the Gloucester Daily Times.
There are 2,965 registered voters in Essex, according to Dunne, and by 10 a.m. Monday, only 12 had cast ballots in-person at the polls inside the Public Safety Building on John Wise Avenue. At that time, about 100 absentee and advance voting ballots had been tabulated, but Dunne did not have an estimate on votes cast by mid-afternoon.
Dunne said she was glad to come onboard during the town election versus starting during the national election in November.
“It’s good I came in at this time,” she said. “It’s a little bit easier to get to know the election workers.”
Voter Shirley Bradbury addressed the low turnout.
“I think participation is down everywhere,” she said. “Everyone has a lot on their minds. But it’s really important the townspeople get involved. It’s getting people to know they should participate in the process.”
Jessie Palm said voting in the town election is important because it affects local government choices such as town administration, police, fire and the schools.
“I think everyone should participate in local elections,” she said. “It’s where the important decisions are made that affect us.”
Resident Whitney Buckley said interest in the Essex election may be have been affected by the fact there were no competitive races on the ballot.
“I think it’s hard when we don’t have any contested races,” she said. “Uncontested elections don’t get people fired up.”
Posie Mansfield, who came by to vote, grew up in Essex.
“I think it’s important for residents to vote,” she said. “We have to have a voice in our government, whether we agree or disagree. We have to be good stewards to our community. We need to speak up.”
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@northofboston.com.