Low Turnout in Town Election

Needham polling locations were noticeably quiet early today, with fewer than 150 voters checked in at each of the 10 precincts by 1 p.m.

There are two contested races on the ballot this spring — four candidates vying for two School Committee seats and two running for one Planning Board spot — as well as a write-in contest between Amanda L. Shorthose and Kathleen Robey for a seat on the Park and Recreation Commission.

Precinct C warden Betsy Tedolbi said it was unusual to see so little activity on election day.

"People in Needham usually vote. They usually find a reason to vote," she said.

Both precincts located at Newman School, where Tedolbi was stationed, had low counts, with just 104 checked in by 1 p.m. at Precinct C and 100 at Precinct D.

The turnout is a far cry from the November state election, when the precinct was visited by about 50 voters in the first 15 minutes, Tedolbi said.

It was somewhat busier over at Broadmeadow School, where 138 residents had cast their votes by about 11:30 a.m. But with 2,000 registered voters at that precinct, the overall turnout was still pretty low, warden William McCarthy said.

"Town elections traditionally are not as likely to be as busy, but this time we have no referendum, no questions on the ballot or overrides, and many of our contests are uncontested," he said. 

School Committee candidate Kim Marie Nicols, who was holding her sign outside the Stephen Palmer Senior Center, said the turnout was disappointing. She estimated the final number would be about 10 percent.

"Yes, we all pay federal taxes. Yes, we all get benefits from both the federal and the state, but your influence there is so small," she said. "Here, you can say, gee, I don't like something; I'm going to call up my selectman. Having that access, you would think people would show up more for the local elections, but it's actually flipped, which is really too bad."

Though there wasn't a steady stream of vehicles to wave to, several sign holders could still be seen outside most polling locations.

Outside Broadmeadow School, Maureen Kirshy held up a sign for Planning Board candidate Frank Gallello. She said one of the issues she agreed with him about was bringing a farmers market to Needham.

"He has great ideas that match mine," she said.

Arriving just after 10 a.m., Kirshy said the polls seemed less busy than usual.

"I put a message on my Facebook to tell everyone to vote, whether you support who I support or not," she said.

Nearby, Gregory Shesko held a sign each for School Committee candidates Nicols and Michael Greis.

"Michael's just superb," Shesko said. "He's very knowledgeable about school finance and all aspects of education in Needham. I've known him for years. He and I used to sit together in Town Meeting."

Across the way, Marsha Shorthose held a sign for her daughter, Andrea, one of two write-in candidates for the Park and Recreation seat.

"We heard there was a vacant seat on Park and Recreation and it seemed to fit with her qualifications," she said. 

Shorthose is a Needham High School alumna and has a bachelor's of science in sports management. She also helps coach softball at the high school and is a "baseball fanatic," according to her mother.

Polls will remain open until 8 p.m. today.

Look for results as soon as they're available here at Needham Patch.