Low Primary Turnout in Harrison Districts

It might have been lack of interest or lack of knowledge about which races affect Harrison, but election inspectors say they are surprised by the low turnout for Tuesday's primary elections.

Independence Party voters were charged with choosing between Ronald Belmont and Joan Walsh for their endorsement for Mayor/Supervisor. Democrats in some districts also chose between West Harrison's Mark Jaffe and Port Chester's Daniel Brakewood for District 6 County Legislator. Conservatives and Independentce Party members also voted for two representatives for local town justice.

But there didn't seam to be a rush to the polls at the Harrison locations Patch visited Tuesday.

"It's always slow," said Inspector Joan Neale. "To be honest though, I don't remember it ever being this slow."

At 4 p.m. only 14 people had voted in Harrison's District 16, which votes at the Harrison Veterans Building. District 8, which also votes at the veterans building, had only 20 voters in a district with more than 300 eligible voters.

At the Harrison Library there were less than 30 votes cast by 4 p.m., leaving election inspectors there wondering where all the voters were.

"I don't think a lot of people knew about it," said Joyce Noviello, who added that primaries are traditionally slow depending on which races catch people's interest. 

Arlene Reynolds was working as an inspector at the veterans building, she thinks the lack of a Republican primary hurt the turnout. Local primaries were held in her district for only registered Democrats, Conservatives and Independents.

"This (turnout) has been really bad," said Reynolds. "The Republicans can't vote and I think that affects it."

At the Mintzer Center, where Harrison districts 1, 2 and 11 voted, election inspectors said that turnout was "slow and steady", adding that a lot of their time was spent explaining to voters that they could only vote if they are registered to certain political parties.

There was still hope Tuesday afternoon for an evening rush of voters coming home after work, but most inspectors weren't overly optimistic.

"Usually by seven if they're going to vote, they're going to vote," said Inspector Charlie Galanek. "If you don't catch them off the train, after that it's quiet."

We'll have results posted as they become available.