Low Voter Turnout For Morristown Primaries

The Morristown primary election is Tuesday and although there are quite a few candidates on the ballot, not a lot of voters came out to the polls as of 5 p.m.

"It's spotty with spurts here and there. It was slow this morning and we picked up after 2 p.m., but it's traditionally light for turnout for the primaries," said poll workers for Ward 1, District 1. "Many voters didn't know what district they were in, but that's not uncommon." 

Here's a look at the voter turn out for the first ward as of 5:10 p.m. (all numbers are approximate):

• District 1—55 voters out of 600
• District 2—60 voters out of 800
• District 3—57 voters out of 600
• District 4—62 voter out of 616

One voter came out to fulfill her civic duty and to support friends who were in the election.

"Too many people died for me to have this right," said Barbara Gray. "It's a privilege to vote and I have friends running." 

Incumbents Michelle Dupree Harris, council president, Toshiba Foster and Michael Elms are being challenged by fellow Dems Michael Pooler, a planning board member, Jessica Williamson, a member of the environmental commission, and Tom Alexander, a former housing inspector. 

Richard Babcock is the Republican write-in candidate for Morristown Mayor and is the only mayoral candidate endorsed by the Morristown Republican Committee. Independent candidates have until primary day to file to make the November ballot. 

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Tuesday:

A list of polling locations is available on the Morristown website. You can also find out where specifically you can vote here.

Last week, We Are United and Organized (UNO), a group of Morristown residents started a grassroots effort aimed at solving problems affecting local communities, free of politics, announced the endorsement of a slate of Democratic Candidates for Morristown Council in the primary election.

Patch asked candidates a set of questions. Here's a look at answers from the following candidates:

• Michael Elms
• Michael Pooler
• Richard Babcock

Patch did not receive return answers from the other candidates.