Early Voting Off To Slow Start In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — So far, the crowds are not stampeding the ballot boxes in the Watch City. For the past five days it's been possible for registered Waltham voters to head to the Bright School Gymnasium and cast a ballot early to avoid crowds or lines on Nov. 6. But as of halfway through the period in which early voting is an option, only about 869 people have cast their vote early for the Midterm Elections, according to the clerk's office.

Compare that to two years ago: By the end of early voting on Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, which was the first time early voting was permitted in the state some 8,800 people had taken advantage of early voting in Waltham, according to the City Clerk Robert Waddick.

What's going on? Well, it's not a presidential election.

"Voter turnout for presidential elections is typically much higher than turnout in non-presidential election years," said Waddick.

Early voting was an effort to boost turn out two years ago. Each municipalitiy across the state is required now by law to have at least one polling spot available for voters to cast early ballots during regular business hours in the two weeks prior to Election Day. Unlike absentee balots, you don't have to give a reason. You just show up provide your address and name and if you're on the active registered voter list you can cast your ballot early.

Early voting proved popular then, with more than 1 million voters across the state opting to vote before actual Election Day, according to the state. Early voting is ongoing until three days before the general election, scheduled for Nov. 6, to give election officials time to set up for Election Day.

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff