Low Turnout Expected at Saturday's Election

is Saturday, but there is doubt in Hingham that the majority of residents will not vote.

Although campaign signs have been posted on front lawns, and election candidates had held election signs  in front of the on and night, Town Officials are not expecting the voting booths to be crowded.

 Town Clerk Eilleen McCracken  expects a low turnout for Saturday's Election.

 “I just don’t know how low,” McCracken said “If we’re lucky a 15-20 percent turnout.”

Town Administrator Ted Alexiades agreed with McCracken and said he expects a low turnout because there are no overrides on the ballot. Alexiades said large turnouts generate from overrides.

On Saturday residents will vote for 12 town positions: Town Moderator, Selectman,  School Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Sewer Commission, two different seats for Recreation Commission, Municipal Light Board and two different Planning Board seats.

 McCracken credits the many unopposed races as a reason for her low turnout prediction.  A total of eight races will be uncontested leaving only four competitive races. McCracken believes the Town Moderator race will draw the most voters.

 There is a three-way race for Town Moderator (one-year term) between the incumbent Town Moderator Thomas L.P. O’Donnell of South Lane, Bernard Manning of Cushing Street and Michael Salerno of Cushing Street.

 There is also a two way race for Selectman (three year term).  Current Chairman Bruce Rabuffo of Dwiggins Pathe will run against Bernard Manning of Cushing Street.

Another contested race will be the three-way race for two school committee seats (three-year term). The candidates are Carol Falvey of Isaac Sprague Drive, Edward Schreier of Gardner Street, and Bernard Manning of Cushing Street.

There is also a two-way race for Planning Board (five year term). Current board member Gard Tondorf-Dick of Main Street will run against Alan Kearney of Fairview Street

  is this Saturday, April 30.  The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Precincts 1,2,3,5 will vote at on Union Street. Precincts 4,6 will vote at on Main Street .  Precincts 6A will vote at the Derby Clubhouse Building on 302 Linden Ponds Way.