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With only city elections, turnout low
Published November 3, 2009
With no national, state or even countywide races on Walton ballots, turnout was low as only a few hundred people came out to vote in the various city elections.
Polling places throughout the county reported a steady trickle of voters all day.
“It’s been slow,” said Sidney Cooper, a poll worker at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Monroe. “Everything’s very smooth, but it’s been very slow and steady.”
Cooper said only 75 people came to vote by noon, but for those who did come to vote, the races for mayor and council positions were just as important as other year’s big races.
“The mayor of Monroe is representing us,” said Lamar Thomas. “I just wanted to get the right person for the job into office. I figure my vote counts.”
Turnout was higher across town at the First Baptist Church of Monroe polling place, where assistant manager Howard Green said 155 people had voted by only 10 a.m.
“It seems steady, about 50 an hour,” Green said. “For only a city election, I think it’s good. If we keep this up, that’ll be 600 votes.”
The voters who did come to the polls said they felt a duty to make their voice heard.
“I vote in all the elections,” said Laura Brown, of Monroe. “I think it makes a difference when people come out to vote.”
Jimmy Payne, chairman of the county board of elections, said he had initially expected a turnout between 13 to 20 percent in Monroe. Ultimately, about 17 percent of the 6,734 voters in Monroe voted.
“I expected it to be low,” Payne said.
Loganville’s turnout was even lower, at 7 percent, while Walnut Grove saw only 60-odd voters come out for its city council race.
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