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11/12/2018 11:00 PMDespite cold and rain, Essex, Chester, and Deep River all saw a steady flow of voters throughout the entire day on Nov. 6, creating what may have been a record turnout for a mid-term election in all three towns, officials said.
In Essex, 4,006 of the town’s 5,306 registered voters voted, 75.5 percent. In Chester, 2,168 of 2,729 were or 79.4 percent voted, and in Deep River, 2,609 of 3,615 or 72.1 percent cast a ballot.
“This shows democracy at work,” said Essex’s First Selectman Norm Needleman, a Democrat who was voted into the State Senate for the 33rd District. “The great thing is that not just one group came out—everybody came out and exercised their right to vote. This was wonderful to see.”
He continued “I think this was a record high for voter turnout for a mid-term election, and it was especially great to see the number of young people who came out to vote.”
Essex Selectman Bruce Glowac added, “Voter turn out this year was inspiring. It was great to see so many people at the polls, hopefully this is an indication that apathy is on a downturn.”
Essex Selectman Stacia Libby said, “The polls were consistently full all day long. It was great.”
In Deep River, First Selectman Angus McDonald said he was very proud of the town’s residents.
“It was fantastic to see so many people come out, even in the rain,” he said. “This is the highest voter turn out that I can remember, especially for a non-presidential election.”
“I am truly thrilled about the voter turnout. I saw a lot of people who had never voted before, come to vote and that really made me happy,” McDonald added. “Voting is the best way to express yourself.”
Leading the pack in voter percentage, the town of Chester hit record numbers for voters for a mid-term election and First Selectman Lauren Gister was more than gratified by her town’s actions.
“I am thrilled that we had such great participation in town,” said Gister. “People really did their part and showed up.”