Politics & Government

Rainy Weather Dampens Election Day

Candidates say the rain could be affecting voter turnout.

Rain could dampen today’s primary election if potential voters who would otherwise come out are dissuaded from supporting their candidates because of the weather.

Candidates are out in force today, but voter turnout in local municipalities so far hasn’t been the heaviest.

At Osborne Elementary, poll workers counted only 30 voters as of 12:15 p.m., while at the Edgeworth Club poll workers said only 41 voters had shown up shortly before 12:30 p.m.

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As of 10 a.m. in Leetsdale, only 45 voters were counted, though by 3:30, there were a total of 159 voters.

“I see at this moment more workers than voters,” said one man entering the Sewickley polling place to vote.

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In Sewickley, candidates for school board, council and judge continued to pass out campaign material, keeping dry underneath the entranceway of St. Stephen's Church.

Quaker Valley School Board incumbent Robert Riker said with the turnout so small, it’s much harder to get a sense of everything.

“In Sewickley you can get these super close votes and on a day like today it seems more likely,” Riker said.

In Leetsdale, candidates kept dry under umbrellas and a tent. The candidates said the rain was unfortunate but they planned to make the best of the day.

“It’s really a disappointment,” said Linda Michael, a challenger for council. “I think the weather is going to keep at least some people away.”

“It will keep some away, no doubt,” said Councilman Ben Frederick, who is running for re-election for a two- and four-year term. “The bulk of people are going to show up between 4 and 8 p.m. after work.”

Alberta Budkey of Leetsdale said the rain wasn’t enough to deter her from voting.

“God help us the working poor. I worked two jobs all my life,” Budkey said, adding, “I always vote.”

Despite the low turnout so far, local poll workers reported no mishaps this year.

Last year, Sewickley had a problem with the voting machines, causing a slight delay at the beginning.

But Helene Zacharias, judge of elections for Ward 2, said today was going smoothly for all four Sewickley districts.

“Everything is rolling really good this year and we haven’t had any issues,” she said.


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