The Scoop: Four Key Factors at Play in Today’s Woonsocket Election

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

Anthony Faccenda, The Scoop

 

View Larger +

Welcome to The Scoop, the 4 p.m. report on everything politics in Rhode Island – the inside daily report exclusively on GoLocalProv.com.

View Larger +

Four factors that will impact today’s Woonsocket mayoral election.

Election day is upon us in Woonsocket and the city’s mayoral seat is up for grabs. Although challenger state Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt beat incumbent Mayor Leo Fontaine by a 3 to 1 margin in October’s primary election, there are several factors that could make today’s election anyone’s game.

Polling Location: The physical location of the polls can have a major impact on voter turnout and even influence how people vote. Factors such as how far the polling location is from the voters residence; anticipated wait time at the polling location; and the voter’s means of getting to polls, will all play a significant roll in today’s election. In Woonsocket, there are 11 voting districts, meaning that there will be 11 polling locations open throughout the city from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you don’t know your voting district click here to find out.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Weather: Inclement weather such as rain, snow and extreme cold can all impact election results. A 2012 poll conducted by Ipsos, a global market research company, found that 19% of decided voters said that bad weather would keep them from the polls. This figure increases to 35% for undecided voters. The high in Woonsocket today will be 48 degrees, while the temperature will dip to 33 tonight. There is no chance of rain in the forecast.

Voter Turnout: According to the Rhode Island Board of Elections, 23,847 registered voters across 22 precincts in Woonsocket. That said, only 4,163 people or 17.46% cast their vote in October’s primary election. Of these people, more than two-thirds cast their ballot for Baldelli-Hunt. For Fontaine, the key will be to mobilize the registered voters that chose to skip the October 8 primary and get them to the polls today.

Motivation to Vote: Perhaps the number one factor that will impact today’s results is the voter’s motivation to vote. Are voters in Woonsocket motivated to vote? Well, they should be. Woonsocket, which has been placed under the oversight of a state-appointed budget commission over its financing troubles, faces a litany of issues including unfunded pension liabilities and deepening deficits. Furthermore, the commission overseeing Woonsocket’s finances has significantly increased property taxes, which has upset many citizens.

Information for voters

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters will be asked to show identification. Anyone without an acceptable ID can use a provisional ballot. When voters get to their polling place, poll workers will ask them for their name so they can confirm if they are registered to vote. Once eligibility has been confirmed, they will be asked to show a current and valid ID. Poll workers will then give them a ballot and a paper cover called a "secrecy sleeve." Voters will then proceed to a voting booth, where they can mark their ballot in private. Click here to view a sample ballot.

No eligible voter will be turned away at the polls. If a voter does not bring an acceptable ID to their polling place, they can vote using a standard Provisional Ballot.

For more information visit https://sos.ri.gov/

See More Scoops Below

If you have a scoop for The Scoop, please email it to [email protected]

 

Related Articles

 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook