The National Weather Service is calling for steady rain throughout Election Day. Election officials speculate this may decrease voter participation in the 2015 municipal elections.
Judge Bill Roesink oversaw voting at the New Hanover County Senior Center. Based on what he’s seen at the polls today, he says the rain might be deterring voters:
Judge Bill Roesink: “It’s been slower than normal because of the type of election it is—it’s the city election—and because of the weather. So, it’s down from what it normally would be.”
The voters that did make their way to the polls on this dreary Tuesday say they never miss an election and want to have their voices heard. One Wilmington citizen, Dee Gallant, says she has quite an impressive record:
Dee Gallant: “I have been voting for seventy years, and I have never missed a vote.”
The New Hanover County Board of Elections Director had predicted 15-17% of the voting population would participate in the 2015 municipal elections.