VT voters 'glad it's over'

With emotions ranging from hope to disgust to excitement, voters in eastern Vermont seem to have one thing in common: They seem relieved the 2016 race has come to an end.

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2016-11-09 / Front Page VT voters 'glad it's over' By TORY JONES toryb@eagletimes.com Election staff, from left, on Tuesday included Cynthia Martin, Brenda Neronsky, Terri Emerson, Ellen Fraczek, and Lynn Roberts, working at the Windsor District 3-1 table for Springfield. — TORY JONES Election staff, from left, on Tuesday included Cynthia Martin, Brenda Neronsky, Terri Emerson, Ellen Fraczek, and Lynn Roberts, working at the Windsor District 3-1 table for Springfield. — TORY JONES ROCKINGHAM — With emotions ranging from hope to disgust to excitement, voters in eastern Vermont seem to have one thing in common: They seem relieved the 2016 race has come to an end. “History being made!” said Elizabeth Mooney, who was in Rockingham on Tuesday, taking a photo of her daughter Alexandra Mooney. Elizabeth said the first time she voted in an election was when John F. Kennedy was running for president. Following Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin’s announcement that he would not run for a third term, Lieutenant Gov. Phil Scott stepped up against Sue Minter, with Scott taking the win. Incumbent Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-NH) also took a decisive win over Scott Milne. “I’m scared, but hopeful,” Alexandra Mooney said. “I also think she (Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton) will be the one to change it, to take the country into the perfect light.” A steady stream of local voters came through polling centers in Rockingham, Springfield and Windsor on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, casting votes in what has been a contentious race, especially for president of the United States. Several other voters also stopped to take “selfies” outside the polling centers. First-time voters Hollie Jackson and Arianna Paris, both recent high school graduates, were the Masonic Lodge in Rockingham on Tuesday afternoon. “I never thought my first election would be between two people like that,” Paris said of the presidential race, referring to Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump. “It’s kind of scary,” Jackson said. Rockingham resident John Parker, leaving the polling station, said he is “glad it’s over.” “It’s been disgusting, all the negative, and the personal attacks,” he said. Inside, at about 3:30 p.m., Rockingham Town Clerk Kathleen Neathawk said that election officials had received 1,445 ballots, which included about more than 300 absentee ballots, with some remaining to be counted. There are 3,526 registered voters in Rockingham, she said. Neathawk also said that there had been steady voter traffic, no negative incidents, and no “poll-watchers” at that polling station all day. She added that if any had shown up, they would have had to identify themselves and fill out a form. “But we were prepared for them,” she said. In Springfield, Town Clerk Barbara Courchesne said that as of about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, the town had received 5,200 ballots, but most voters had submitted two ballots, since they were submitting both state and school ballots. She estimated about 2,620 voters had cast ballots, including 1,138 absentee ballots, by early afternoon. Election staff had seen no “poll-watchers” and had no incidents other than a long line at the beginning of the day, and voter turnout had been steady, she said. “Everybody has been pretty well-behaved and respectful,” she said. The election staff was also very professional and handling the process smoothly, she said. Outside the polling station, voter Stacey Tufts of Springfield said that she had written in Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for president. “I wasn’t looking forward to voting this year,” she said. It was the presidential race that concerned her for this election, and she is glad it is over, she said. Voter Jason Allen, exiting the polls in the early afternoon, was cheerful. “I feel really great,” he said. “I feel this is an election we need to vote on. We need a definite winner, so that’s why I came out to show my support.” In Windsor earlier in the afternoon, turnout was at 1,018 votes cast as of 1 p.m., with 347 absentee ballots, according to Town Clerk Sandy Micka. Voters trickled in steadily to the station, in small groups. Micka said the station, at the town office, had a line at the door at 7 p.m. before opening for Election Day. The mood appeared relaxed and cheerful as people greeted one another. One Windsor voter, who asked that her name not be used, said on her way out that she felt “indifferent” about this year’s election. “I almost didn’t come out today,” she said. Windsor resident William Verboncoeur called the voting process this year “an ordeal.” “I don’t like anybody (of the candidates),” he said. Sara Jane Murphy, however, felt differently, and said her vote was “definitely Hillary.” “I’m hoping it will make a difference,” she said. Several petitioners were also at polling exit stations, seeking signatures in support of funding for local mental health services, reversing the Springfield recreation center agreement, funding for a school band, and funding for the Springfield Historical Society.