Voting Slow in Uncontested Local Races

You can't find better participants in democracy than Mario and Edna Belanich of Sleepy Hollow, who attend nearly every village meeting there is. Today, they cast votes number 8 and 9 in District 2 just after 1 p.m.

"Slowest ever," one poll worker said.

It's a slow day at the polls, to be sure, but poll workers and the sporadic voter they greatly outnumber all agree elections are necessary even in uncontested races. 

"It's part of the process that is key to the country's success," said poll supervisor David Aukland at the Main Street Firehouse (district 3 with a total of 8 voters thus far). "Whether or not they participate or not, that's their call."

Expensive?, yes, as three to four workers in each district get a day's stipend. "But still worthy," Aukland said. 

Balonich joked that he would be writing his own and his wife's name at the bottom of a largely blank ballot. "Unopposed! Only one side! Come on!" this Republican said in a race with one Democrat-only slate.

"Even if you just vote for yourself, you'd win," Balonich said. 

This seems to be the thinking of Tarrytown's write-in campaign from firefighter Robert Smith who with just a handful of votes could throw in a big surprise for the Tarrytown United/Democratic double-endorsed crew tonight. 

Aukland did report one write-in vote so far.

The Tarrytown candidates—all incumbents, mayor and three trustees—will be gathering before results come in at Little B's and then making their way to Village Hall for the final results. 

In Sleepy Hollow, the Democratic Party is gathering at Que Chula on Valley Street at 9 p.m. for a combination celebration and fundraiser (cost $50).

For all the information on candidates and polling places, click here. Polls close tonight at 9 p.m. in both villages. 

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