[Update 3:15 p.m. Tuesday] Voter Turnout in Granby, East Granby Slow, but Steady

[Update 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8] Mudslinging is the term often used to describe negative campaigning.

But what about snowslinging? In a showing of good-natured, bi-partisan fun, East Granby Republican Board of Finance candidate Tami Zawistowski was seen having a miniature impromptu snowball fight with Democratic Board of Education candidate Michele Holt outside the Senior Center this afternoon.

"I've got all the ammo," quipped Zawistowski, pointing to the pile of snow at her feet where she was waving to voters pulling into the Senior Center parking lot.

In other news, 470 ballots, or just over 10 percent of the registered voters in East Granby, had been cast as of 2:30 p.m., according to moderator Brad Wolf.

There will have to be a significant increase in traffic for the town to match the town's 39 percent voter turnout from last year.

In Granby, 541 voters, or less than 10 percent of the town's registered voters, had cast ballots as of 2:45 p.m., according to moderator Doug Cannatella.

"I'm not surprised, given that it's non-contested, so there's nothing Earth-shattering here," Cannatella said.

[Original article]

Despite ongoing power outages, voter turnout in East Granby and Granby is on par with local elections in years past, according to election officials.

In Granby, 293 people - or 59 per hour - had cast their votes at the town’s only polling place at as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to moderator Terri-Ann Hahn.

Municipal elections tend to bring out fewer voters than statewide and national elections. Granby residents had even less incentive than other years because every race, including for the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Board of Education, is uncontested.

(Best line of the election thus far came Monday from the Granby registrar of voters, who asked, "Would you like me to announce the results now?")

“We’re on target with other uncontested municipal elections,” Hahn said. “We’re having a lot of discussions about the weather and [power outages], but it doesn’t seem to be stopping people from coming.”

So why are people turning out for an election where everyone who is running is virtually guaranteed a victory?

“Because it’s every citizen’s duty to vote no matter what,” Granby resident Thelma Bugbee said outside of the polling area. “Too many people are dying for this privilege. And it’s such an especially nice day, there’s no excuse for not being here.”

Don and Mary Short agreed.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Don Short said. “I vote any chance I get to vote.”

In East Granby, where there were several contested elections, including the Board of Selectmen, which features three candidates vying for two positions, voter turnout was slow but steady at the town's polling place at the , according to registrar of voters Zettie Shookus.

“It’s up and cookin’,” Shookus said. “There have been no issues. … People still don’t have power, so I thought it would be slower, but it’s been steady.”

Which isn’t to say that the power outages haven’t had an impact on the elections, or at least on how the parties in town campaigned.

Indeed, East Granby Democrats decided late last week to donate the money that they had set aside for a town-wide flier to the local food bank (between $1,000 and $2,000), according to Democratic Town Chairman Mike Malloy.

“We thought it was a good idea and it takes money for people who really need it,” Democratic Board of Education candidate Joe Doering said while waving to voters outside the polling area.

Which isn’t to say that town Republicans had a tin ear to the situation - they mailed out their flier before the storm hit.

Such situations could make a difference in a small town like East Granby, however, where, according to Board of Finance candidate Tami Zawistowski, it isn’t unusual to have local elections turn on a just a handful votes.

Visit Patch throughout the day for more information and election results.