Volunteers Disappointed by Voter Turnout

Eloise Killeffer sat inside the gym at Saxe Middle School on Tuesday, directing voters to the right registration table—a volunteer post she has held at New Canaan elections for six years—but by 5 p.m. she was feeling particularly disappointed with the voter turnout rate in today's primary.

"We get the government that we choose," she said. "If we sit back and let other people do the choosing for us, then the system is not going to work the way it's supposed to."

As of 5 p.m. today, 1,591 registered members of the Republican and Democratic parties had shown up at Saxe or New Canaan High School to vote, making up a little less than 19 percent of eligible voters. The primary includes races for various posts, including U.S. Senate (Republicans), governor (both parties), 4th Congressional District (Republicans), and attorney general (Republicans), and Killeffer was saddened by the fact that more people didn't come out to vote or send in absentee ballots.

"I have a strong belief in citizen participation," said Killeffer. "All of these people have been enfranchised to vote and they are disappointing."

Sarah Mann, an East Norwalk resident and supporter of Tom Ryan, Republican candidate for probate judge, said she hopes Tuesday's heat doesn't keep commuters from stopping by on their way home. "If they took the time to come out today, God Bless them, no matter which side of the aisle they're on, they're exercising their rights," she said.

Republican moderator Jim Walsh offered words of encouragement though, saying the number of voters had picked up. But, he said, as far as what will happen between now and when the polls close at 8 p.m., "there's no way to tell."

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