Slow Day at the Polls

Voter turnout has been slow so far in Meriden for today’s GOP presidential primary, according to local election officials.

At New Life Church, historically the city's busiest polling place, according to Republican Registrar of Voters Lillian (Toni) Soboleski, only 32 voters had cast their ballots as of noon. That’s out of 134 voters registered in that precinct, says City Councilor Kevin Scarpati, who is working at the venue until polls close at 8 p.m.

Scarpati, a Romney supporter, says, “People are banking on him being the nominee. That may explain why not many are turning out.”

Rebekah Masse of Southington, who works at the day care in the church, told Patch, “It’s been dead all day.” Echoing Scarpati, she says, “I think everybody’s thinking, 'Romney’s got it. Why bother?'”

Voter traffic was similarly slow at Nathan Hale School, traditionally the second busiest polling place in the city. There, Patch caught up with one of the few voters who did show up this morning, Dave Ivers. The Ron Paul sticker on the back of his truck reveals where his allegiance lies. He’s been following Paul for 30 years, he claims.

“I’m a solid backer,” he says.

Ivers expressed frustration that a lot of people will either not bother voting or cast a vote for Romney because he’s the likely winner.

“It doesn’t make sense to me,” he shares. That kind of thinking doesn’t give his candidate much of a chance, he acknowledges.

In the last GOP presidential primary in 2008, 1,233 of 4,169 registered Republicans voted. Republican voting ranks have increased slightly since then to approximately 4,200 today, Soboleski says.

Concerned that some voters might be confused about where to vote because of upcoming redistricting, Soboleski stressed that polling places have not changed. If you want to find out where to cast your ballot, you can call her at (203) 630-4075.

Connecticut is one of five Northeastern states holding their primaries today. The others are Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

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