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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Voter Turnout "A Joke," GOP Committeewoman Laments

With voter turnout dismally low, some committee people questioned the effort to extend hours at the polls today.

"You know what's worse than working 13 hours with nobody showing up? Working 14 hours with nobody showing up," said Kathleen Widman, a Republican committee person in the 55th Ward's 29th division.

Widman said today's turnout was among the worst she'd seen since becoming a committee person in 1977. As of about 3 p.m., the polling place had 57 voters. "It's a joke," Widman added.
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 4:13 PM  Permalink | 29 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:58 PM, 11/03/2009
    Perhaps if they made election day a holiday so the majority of us didn't have to work, there'd be a better turnout. It's the reason why I don't vote often cause I can't make it to the polls.
    — Jeffe
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 11/03/2009
    @Jeffe - Do you work from 7am to 8pm or are you just looking for another reason to take a day off?
    — Jeff
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:22 PM, 11/03/2009
    I just voted. The place was deserted, except for a Seth Williams for DA organizer outside dressed in a head to toe burqa that even covered her face.
    — CleanupPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:23 PM, 11/03/2009
    Seth Williams seems to have done a good job organizing in Waziristan.
    — CleanupPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:28 PM, 11/03/2009
    The GOP could make historic gains if they can manage a last minute push to get GOP voters to the polls. In Philly, it's your wallet. Whether crime or assessments for property taxes, this is the election that is even more important in Philly than the elections for mayor or city council. DA and City Controller can repair a broken corrupt city, but only if you put the right ones in charge.
    — CleanupPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:06 PM, 11/03/2009
    voting should be on saturdays.
    — mikem8612
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:14 PM, 11/03/2009
    November voting should be on Veterans Day. No paid holiday unless you voted. If Veterans day is on a Sunday, the vote will be on the following Monday. If on Saturday, then the previous Friday. Spring voting will be on Memorial Day. Same gig. The Republicans are a joke in this city.
    — Mark Chalupa
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:31 PM, 11/03/2009
    Why vote in Philly where there is no choice all party line here nothing will ever change without competition
    — bobg1812
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:33 PM, 11/03/2009
    voting should be on saturdays or on a holiday. Everyone is working two jobs, and nobody can get free time anymore. I voted, but its a major inconvenience during the week. I had to skip a major teacher conference in state college just so I could vote.
    — gtown_teach
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:35 PM, 11/03/2009
    maybe people just don't care anymore. DA's let cop killers live, gun offenders are back on the street in hours as are drug addicts. Do you really think your vote counts? Judges are a joke, giving little bitty sentences for crimes committed. The city is a financial mess, we don't need a city controller, we need a magician.
    — mokey1057
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:36 PM, 11/03/2009
    I'm a registered Democrat who voted straight Republican. I cannot stand the corruption, waste, fraud and cronyism that one party rule brings.
    — bob19103
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:40 PM, 11/03/2009
    I voted a mixed ticket today. No offense to the newspaper that I read every day, but everyone the Daily News didn't endorse, got my vote!
    — Greg V.
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:20 PM, 11/03/2009
    People just need to take personal responsibility to vote. The polls are open long enough for everyone to cast a vote. When I voted in the early am there was no 1 around, all my neighbors could have been in an out within 3 mins and still make it to work on time. Its a shame that more people don't care to try and make a difference and are content with just sitting at home and complaining.
    — Taxpaying Voter


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About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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Catherine Lucey
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