Woonsocket Polls See Weak Turnout For Primary

The single voter who visited Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School on Park Ave. at 1 p.m. had the full attention of the five poll staffers.

The previous 56 voters who showed at the polling spot likely had a lot of personal attention, too. The total was 57 voters five hours into the day's presidential primary in Woonsocket, of a possible 4,656 eligible to vote at the polling spot. "I would say that's pretty low," said Moderator Paulette Roux. She said their total made them the most trafficked polling spot so far in the city.

Roux was at a loss to explain the low turnout. "I know people are unhappy," she said. 

At the , Manager Estelle Corriveau characterized the turnout city-wide as "very slow". She said that as of 10 a.m., a total of 114 voters had showed at the polls to cast their votes for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominee hopefuls.

On the Democratic side, President Barack Obama runs unopposed. There are 15 candidates vying for 11 delegate seats.

Following former Sen. Rick Santorum's decision to drop out of the Republican race — although his name and delegates still appear on the Rhode Island ballot — Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul remain the three active candidates in the GOP field.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. tonight. A valid ID (it doesn't have to be a photo ID) is required to vote in the primary. Check out yesterday's story for list of polling spots and important voting information.