Local Election Turnout Low at Midday

race were outside of holding signs and waving to passerbys Tuesday. Just inside, residents huddled in voting booths spread through out the field house at Andover High School.

Fortunately for election volunteers and workers, there was no need for riot control as turnout for the Annual Town Election was lower than average for this type of event.

Town Clerk Lawrence Murphy said voters have been trickling in all day long and said that the ballot count was at 1,098 at 3 p.m.

"We are on track for about an 8 to 9 percent turnout," said Murphy.

Local elections in Andover typically hover around a 15 percent turnout. However, Murphy said he is hoping the dinner rush will boost the voter turnout.

"With the selectmen's race I had hoped we would have a higher turnout," said Murphy.

The polling location at the Andover High School field house will be open until 8 p.m. tonight.

Check back with Andover Patch later tonight for results on the election.