Uncontested Local Race Creates Low Voter Turnout in Morristown

While county and statewide political races proved worthy of decisive votes, the lone local race in Morristown – for the board of education – was not challenged, and may be why voter turnout was below the county average.

Morris School District Board of Education incumbents Lisa Pollak and Teresa Murphy, both representing Morristown, received 1,361 and 1,448 votes, respectively, as they ran unopposed for three-year seats.

Just 2,848 of Morristown’s 10,216 registered voters showed up to the polls Tuesday, according to the Morris County Clerk. That figure translates to a 28-percent voter turnout, where the county average was 36-percent.

There was no race for the Morristown Mayor or Council.

Incumbents at the freeholder, surrogate, congressional, and senate levels all won re-election in Morris County and New Jersey.

Why do you think Morristown had such a low voter turnout?