Voting Off to Slow Start at Rockaway Meadow ES

At about 8 a.m., voting is underway at Rockaway Meadow School.

"There isn't much going on," said poll worker Alice Kennedy. "It's going to be hot today, so I don't know if we'll get a big turnout, but we have a long day ahead of us."

A few people are casting their votes as Township Council Vice President Michael dePierro enters the room. It's the last day of campaigning for dePierro, who is running for re-election. He says hello to everyone present before entering a voter booth and then making a quick departure.

"I take nothing for granted," he said, walking out of the school building.

DePierro doesn't look nervous, but neither is he predicting a cakewalk.

He started the day early, he said, taking an elderly voter to her polling place before visiting his own.

"She asked me to pick her up at seven," he said. "Seven o'clock! Well, whatever I can do to help."

Several voters wish the candidate luck before entering the school to cast their votes.

"It's going to be a hot one today, Councilman," one man said.

"Yeah, but heat is better than rain," dePierro replied. 

The weather is supposed to be steamy, with temperatures heading toward the mid-nineties. It remains to be seen whether the voting will be as hot.

Elections today will decide party nominees for Town Council, the Morris County Board of Freeholders, General Assembly and state Senate.

Polls are open throughout Parsippany until 8 p.m.