Election Day In Waltham: 34 Percent Of Registered Voters Show Up

WALTHAM, MA — Despite the dreary weather, an "exceptionally high" number - about 34 percent of registered voters showed up to vote Tuesday in the local election that held a few other surprises.

Waltham 2019 Election Results: Paz Upsets 30-Year Incumbent Logan

As of 2 p.m. of 34,423 registered voters 6,192 had cast ballots on Election Day in Waltham. That's about 18 percent of voters, according to the city clerk's office. Compare that to how many people came out to vote during this year's preliminary total? 6,437 or 19 percent.

By the end of the day some 11,743 people had cast their votes. That's more total voters than the 11,121 who showed up four years ago.

In 2017, the last time there was a city-wide election for city council and school committee only 26 percent of Waltham voters showed up, Patch reported. But there was no race for mayor that year. In 2015, the last time the city had a mayoral election, some 11,121 of the 31,410 registered voters showed up to vote, according to city data. That translated to about 35 percent.

MA Secretary of State Bill Galvin estimated that with the rain, it may put a damper on the 58 communities, including Waltham, voting. And even without it, a turnout rate of 30-40 percent in a community is "exceptionally high."

There was plenty for voters to weigh on: A contested race for mayor, in which City Councilor Diane LeBlanc is challenged 15 year incumbent Mayor Jeannette McCarthy. McCarthy won, keeping her in the seat for another four years.

Then there was the matter of LeBlanc's at-large city council seat, which she gives up. Catch up on how voting went and a few of the surprises: Waltham 2019 Election Results: Paz Upsets 30-Year Incumbent Logan

Read this, too:

MA Election Day 2019: Expected Voter Turnout, What To Know

Waltham 2019 Local Elections: Candidates, Polling Location, Hours

Waltham's Biggest Issue, According To City Council Candidates

Waltham Mayoral Candidates McCarthy, LeBlanc Face Off In Debate

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).