By Maureen Boyle
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
Posted Nov 03, 2009 @ 09:16 AM
Last update Nov 03, 2009 @ 10:50 AM
BROCKTON —
Voter turnout is expected to be as high
as 30 percent today as residents head to the
polls for city elections.
“That is a standard city election
turnout, said John McGarry, executive
director of the elections commission.
Turnout is expected to be highest in
neighborhoods with single-family homes, with
Precinct 1D at the Hancock School and 3C at
the Kennedy School two of the busiest
precincts, he said.
McGarry said that may be tied to a
combination of education, residents with
children in the schools and home ownership.
“You don’t see a turnover in those
neighborhoods as much,” he said.
In the city’s mayoral race, incumbent
James E. Harrington is being challenged by
City Councilor Linda Balzotti.
There is also two open seats for
councilor-at-large: one vacated by Balzotti
and one vacated by Michael Brady, who is now
a state representative.
Marc Lucas, Patrick Quinn, Larry Curtis
and Fred Fontaine, Jass Stewart — all
newcomers — as well as incumbents Robert
Sullivan, Thomas Brophy and Todd Petti are
running.
Thirteen percent of the city voters
turned out for the preliminary election. In
a presidential election, 60 to 70 percent of
the voters cast ballots. In the most recent
presidential election, the turnout was 74
percent, McGarry said.
The polls will be open until 8 p.m.