Norton Voter Turnout Low for Today's Election

Voter turnout in Norton is low this year for the general town election and the senate primary seat, according to town clerk Danielle Sicard.

“Unfortunately, we’re about where I guessed we’d be for past town elections,” she said.

Sicard said the current estimates are 692 people have voted since the count at noon. She said this is a big estimate, since the machines only count the number of total ballots, which include the town election and the state primary election. She said there was a total of 1382 ballots submitted.

“That’s making the assumption that each person voted in two elections, and that’s an assumption because they can vote in one the other or both,” she said. “That’s only about a 10 or 11 percent turnout, which is unfortunate especially with the double election and some contested races.” 

Locally, Norton residents will vote in two contested races. Four residents (Andrew Mackie, Valerie Desmond, Mark Powers and Daniel Sheedy) are running for two spots on the Norton School Committee. Additionally, incumbent Robert Kimball Jr., incumbent Robert Salvo Sr. and George Gillis are vying for one two spots on the Board of Selectmen.

Many Norton residents came out and voted in the town election and one of the two parties’ primaries already.

Deborah Petipas said she voted in both the Norton races for the incumbents.

“I voted Drew Mackie for school committee,” she said. “He’s been on the board for many years and he’s accomplished quite a bit in those terms. I also voted for Bob Kimball. He also has been on the board for many years. He’s always there at the meetings and he’s always very accessible. If you have a problem in the town, he’s always available; he’s always at town events. He seems to do a very good job.”

Jenna Richardi said she voted in the Democratic primary, but said it was a tough decision.

“Unfortunately you have choose,” she said. “I chose the Democrat. I voted for (Ed) Markey because I feel his voice is more like my voice, his opinions are similar to my opinions.”

Resident Steve Connolly said he voted for the incumbents in the Norton races as well.

 “I like Kimball and Salvo, they’ve done a lot for the town,” Connolly said.

Connolly said he went with Markey, because of his voting record.

“I was in favor and still am for Obamacare, and Lynch voted against it,” he said. “He’ll never get my vote.

Click on the links below to read the questions and answers from Patch with each candidate.

Democrats

Stephen Lynch

Edward Markey

Brett Rhyne (write-in candidate)

Republicans

Gabriel Gomez

Michael Sullivan

Daniel Winslow