Low Voter Turnout In Amherst So Far

Things were very quiet at Souhegan High School this afternoon.

Voters trickled in to do their part in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary and only a few sign holders stood outside of the polling location.

Amherst town moderator Steve Coughlan said Tuesday afternoon that he was surprised that this "hotly contested" primary race was having such a low turnout so far. It is especially surprising in a town that is mostly republican, making it harder to gauge the outcome of the race.

"In some elections I can predict if something is going to happen by 5 o clock," he said, "but today I'm not sure because my gut says it is a contested race, there should be more people, but they havent showed up yet."

He added that he expects more voters from to come later in the evening.

Coughlan reported this afternoon that 1,499 had been cast so far, and that most of them were republican votes. 

Town Clerk Nancy Demers agreed that the turnout so far is lower than expected.

She had registered 50-60 new voters by the afternoon, which included a mix of teenagers who are now of voting age and new residents.

Amherst Patch talked to voters and signholders outside of the high school to see what they though about the republican candidates in today's race. We will have video of their answers for you later today.