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Early Numbers Show Low Turnout in Fairfield Vote

Bridget Perry and her daughter Hannah accounted for two people at the voting booths in the Fairfield Senior Center on Tuesday afternoon, though only one of them was able to vote. But as they walked out the doors, they were alone in the District 1 polling center except for the election workers.

Despite what District 1 voting moderator Stacy Shaw called a “steady stream” of voters into the town’s polling places Tuesday, the referendum on Fairfield’s education budget is far behind pace to gather enough votes to pass. At 1 p.m., the midpoint of polling hours, only 370 voters had cast their ballots at the Senior Center. Though the location is just one of 10 polling places in town, its low numbers may be a sign that the referendum might not get the 8,640 “yes” votes it needs to pass.

“We understand that we’re one of the highest turnouts so far,” said Shaw. “They say we’re in the top three.”

Tuesday’s vote will decide whether the Board of Education gains an extra $800,000 or whether the budget will remain at $145,680,350. By state law, the referendum needs at least 25 percent of the town’s registered voters to say “yes” Tuesday, and for that total to be the majority. When registration closed at noon Monday, Fairfield had 34,557 registered voters. That means the measure needs at least 8,640 votes of approval to pass.

Perry, for her part, said she voted yes. “It’s important that we recognize the importance of education in Fairfield,” she said, “and how everyone can work together to prioritize our families.”

All of Fairfield’s 10 polling stations are open until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Did you vote in the referendum yet? Tell us how you decided to cast your vote in the comments below.

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