Braintree Election Day: Voter Turnout Eclipses Previous Elections

BRAINTREE, MA — Downpours drenched Braintree voters throughout most of election day. But it didn't stop people from going out to vote in what is arguably the town's most important election since since the town switched from a representative town meeting to a mayor-council system of government in 2008. Residents spent the day choosing who will be Braintree's second ever mayor and who will represent them in the Town Council, as eight of the council's nine seats were contested.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, voter turnout was at 21 percent, which already eclipsed 2017's total turnout of 14.2 percent and in 2015 when 17.8 percent of Braintree residents headed to the polls. Town Clerk Jim Casey said he expects turnout could reach 33 percent, but kept forecasts conservative because of the rain.

"The number of voters per hour is trending down a bit because of the rain," Casey told Patch.

In September's preliminary election, which only included the mayoral race, voter turnout was 23.7 percent. Casey said most of the uptick in voters since September came in District 5.

District 5's two precincts include the Town Hall and Liberty Elementary School, and turnout seemed on pace to double in those precincts, Casey said. District 5 is where Meredith Boericke and Anthony Preston are squaring off for a Town Council Seat.

More on Braintree's Election:

• Braintree Election Guide: Candidates, Polling Sites
• Where The Braintree Mayoral Candidates Stand On Traffic Issues
• Where The Braintree Mayoral Candidates Stand On Zoning
• Braintree At-Large Hopefuls Talk Rezoning At Forum