For School Board Election, Edina Voters 'Dribble In'

Shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday at Countryside Elementary, a little more than 100 people had stopped by to vote.

The figure was a fraction of the 1,780 Edina residents registered in the precinct, but on par with voter turnout trends in off-year elections, said head judge Donna Tilsner.

"There's a school board election, but there are no referenda, no big issues at the table," Tilsner said, explaining why Edina expects only a 10 to 15 percent turnout this year. "But, driving residents to vote, people care about the school district and want a voice in choosing who's going to represent them."

Devorah Goldstein, the head judge at the Edina Senior Center, said that voters were "dribbling in."

"It's been quiet, pretty much as expected," Goldstein said. "It's comparable to other off-year elections. It doesn't seem to be hotly contested and may people haven't had much exposure to the candidates."

Pamela Rogers, a paraprofessional at Countryside, said it was convenient to be able to vote at her workplace.

"Voting for the school board affects me and my property values and my neighborhood," she said. "The schools and school board are what makes Edina valuable."

Jon Sundquist also voted at Countryside.

He said that he voted for the board members who he thought would best "maintain the educational standard" of Edina's schools and who would improve "park and recreation services."