Slow Early Turnout for Election Day

Election Day dawned bright and sunny Tuesday morning. So far, however, the nice weather has not pushed droves of residents to the polls, where voters in the township's 39 districts will decide party nominations for president, General Assembly and the Morris County Board of Freeholders. 

Reports from several polling places reveal that voter turnout has been sporadic at best. 

A teacher at reported that voters have shown up only sporadically since the polls' 6 a.m. opening. 

"They've been coming in bit by bit all morning," she said shortly after 9 a.m.

For the 20 minutes Patch spent at the polling place, not a single voter appeared.

 voter George Blair said there isn't very much excitement for the primary election.

"Most people are probably focused on November, for the presidential race," he said to Patch at the Empire Diner. "Obama and Romney are set, so there's no mystery today."

What mystery does exist involves the weather. The National Weather Service says showers and a possible thunderstorm could hit the area by afternoon, and already skies are turning gray. Should the skies open, the rain could serve as a further deterrent to those considering a visit to their local polling place.

In addition to the aforementioned races, voters will also decide who will sit on county party committees.

Rain or shine, the polls remain open until 8 p.m.

Let Patch save you time. Get local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone each day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast, sign-up here.