Turnout for Congressional Primaries in Melrose is 'A Little Low'

While the Melrose City Clerk's Office is hoping voters will cast their ballots before the polls close, the voter turnout has been low so far for the 5th Congressional primaries on Tuesday.

While the Melrose City Clerk's Office is hoping voters will cast their ballots before the polls close, the voter turnout has been low so far for the 5th Congressional primaries on Tuesday.

"That's a little low, but I think we're expecting about 20 to 25 percent turnout," said Linda-Lee Angiolillo, election administrator for the City Clerk's Office, referring to the 12 percent of voters that cast their ballots around 2-2:30 p.m. There are 19,800 registered voters in Melrose, she added.

According to Angiolillo, the election has run smoothly thus far, with no problems to report concerning voting machines or voters.

Seven Democrats and three Republicans are vying for U.S. Sen. Ed Markey’s former 5th Congressional seat, and one candidate from each party will move one step closer toward that goal after the primaries.

In April, the city held a Special Election primary to see who would advance in their bid to fill the void left by John Kerry as a U.S. Senator after he accepted the position as the Secretary of State for the Obama Administration. About 25 percent of registered voters in Melrose participated in the Special Election primary, according to Angiolillo, and she anticipates about the same participation for the Congressional primaries.

Markey, a Malden native, was elected to the Senate, beating Republican challenger Gabriel Gomez in June.

The polls close at 8 p.m.

Here is information related to the candidates and voting:

The Democrats (with links to their campaign sites):

State Sen. Will Brownsberger (Belmont)

State Sen. Katherine Clark (Melrose)