Patch Snap: Young Residents Cast their Vote in Town Election

Welcome to another edition of Patch Snap, where we highlight a picture or pictures of around Burlington or of Burlington residents out and about.

Today's Patch Snap features young Burlington residents Michael Damato, 8, and Jackie Damato, 10, casting a ballot in the Children Vote during last Saturday's town election. Pictured her Michael puts his ballot into the machine as Jackie looks on and helps. They are assisted by Beverlee Vidoli, who was volunteering at the polls. Selectman Michael Runyan also looks on.

When doing a story on the Children Vote in last year's election, Dr. Edward Weiner of the Burlington Board of Health explained the program is a great way to inform youngsters about the voting process and get them interested in democracy.

"This is a great way to get children to learn how to vote and get them excited about voting," he said. "When they are done casting their ballot, they get a sticker just like everyone else, and the kids really like that."

The vote

So how did the kids vote during last Saturday's election. In the contested election they actually were pretty close with how the adults voted.

In the Board of Selectmen race the children elected Christopher Hartling and Robert Hogan, as the adults did. The kids, however, cast the most votes for Hartling (60) with Hogan garnering 39. Virginia Mooney got 27 votes from the youngsters.

The kids also chose incumbent William F. Pepicelli for First Constable over challenger Dennis Otis by a count of 44 to 25.

In the Recreation Commission race the children also voted to reelect Kristine Brown over James M. Mennitto with a vote count of 56 to 19.

Click here to see the full vote count, provided by the Town Clerk's office.