Voter Turnout Slow in Whitemarsh

It's an off-election year ... so voter turnout can only be described as, you guessed it: slow and steady.

Incumbent Democrat Whitemarsh Supervisor Melissa Sterling greeted voters at the Masonic Village polling place. 

According to Sterling, about 200 of the polling place's 1,500 registered voters had made it out as of 1 p.m. – covering the morning rush, but still waiting on the 6-ish after work bump. 

"It's slow and steady for an off-year," Sterling said, "but some people don't realize that voting for local officials, like supervisors and school board members, is really important. It's like, it doesn't matter unless they're voting for someone who is going to Washington."

Sterling's fellow  Whitemarsh Supervisor Cathy Peduzzi kept Sterling company at the Masonic Village. 

"It feels wonderful not having to run this year," Peduzzi said jokingly.

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Republican challengers James Totten and John Williams greeted voters at the other end of the hallway.

Both candidates said they're looking to give back to the community; Totten struck up a conversation with longtime resident Mort Lader -- who has never missed an election.

"From what i know of these two gentlemen, we need them badly," Laden said. "They would serve the community very well. We need the balance."

Lader also said he knew Totten's dad, who was the tax collector from 1969 to 1985.