Voted yesterday

[snarkyman]

We voted yesterday for town elections. People on the Arlington email list are complaining about low voter turnout (about 20%). Why on earth the town chooses to hold town elections on Saturday is beyond me.

Comments

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

In part, because it interferes with schools a lot less, and that holds down costs. Sundays would raise costs substantially, because of required overtime pay for various staff.

[snarkyman.livejournal.com]

Perhaps Saturday voting interferes less with the schools, but it seems to hinder voter turnout.

My first year in Arlington, I missed the town election because I didn't realize it was on Saturday. I expected it to be on Tuesday, like everywhere else I lived and voted. The only way I knew I had missed the election was because of the complaints on the Arlington email list.

I like Belmont's practice of posting signs like "Belmont votes " and putting them in rotaries and other high-traffic locations. I haven't seen Arlington do this, and I suspect it would help turnout.

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure it really hinders voter turnout substantially, but it is quite possible. The town's goals seem to be more and more about saving money.

And since most schools use their gyms for voting, it also means that the kids can't have physical education.

More signs would be good. You could suggest it to the town: they very likely might take you up on it...

[cellio]

Saturday voting? Ick. Do they let observant Jews (and 7th-day adventists, IIUC) vote absentee, or what?