Low Turnout and Early Machine Glitches Greet Primary Voters

A small turnout and a few bugs with new voting machines made for an interesting primary election day in Harrison.

Inspectors at two Harrison polling locations said Tuesday afternoon that they had trouble either starting the machines or keeping them running throughout the day. Polls opened about 30 minutes late at Harrison Avenue Elementary School as inspectors worked to fix a small glitch. In West Harrison's Mintzer Center about 10 voters had to use a paper ballot after the new voting machines wouldn't read their votes.

"It was kind of rough," said Joleine Hercules, an inspector at the Harrison Avenue location, adding that once the initial problems were resolved things did get better.

One of the three machines in the Mintzer Center created problems on and off throughout the day, but has been working most of the afternoon, according to inspector Carolyn Santoro. Inspectors there described that new machine as "sensitive", but said the other two machines in the building worked fine.

Voter reaction to the new machines were mixed, as expected. Although some people embraced the change, some disliked the lack of privacy once provided by a sheet that covered voters while they made their selections.

"I thought it was not private at all," said Tom Scappaticci after voting in West Harrison. "I couldn't understand this is the way they chose (to change it)."

Voter turnout, meanwhile, was a little below average at most locations. Inspectors at the Harrison Senior Center on Halstead Avenue said that they had no problems with the new machines but participation was very low, even for a primary.

"Very slow, very low turnout," said Veronica Perito, an inspector at the senior center. "Everybody is disgruntled with the way the politics are—they aren't enthusiastic."

At about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon—usually a popular time for parents to vote after picking up kids from school—several inspectors sat staring at empty voting machines.

"It gets really slow here," said Perito. "We can't pull them off the streets."

The same could be said at the Mintzer Center, where inspectors said a strong evening rush of voters would be needed to match participation from previous years.

"I don't see any crowds though," said Santoro.

Some locations did report a normal turnout. Inspectors at the Harrison Library voting location said that their numbers were about average, and that the new machines didn't create any problems. Olga Zaccagning, an inspector there, said that once they adjusted to the new machines things went very smoothly and—although some people were confused about how the machines worked—she was impressed with the new technology.

"One person asked for a receipt," she said with a laugh. "It's pretty neat I have to say."

There was also some optimism at the Harrison Avenue location, where three of the larger voting districts in Harrison place their votes. Despite their problems early in the morning Novella Adove, chairperson at the location, said things were running fine most of the day and thinks the new machines are a good thing.

"I think this system will work amazingly," she said. "Everyone will have their problems in the morning, but by the afternoon it's a piece of cake."

All polls in Harrison will remain open until 9 p.m. tonight. We will have primary results as they become available.