STAMFORD — Twenty-two polling stations are open across Stamford until 8 p.m. Tuesday for the U.S. Senate primaries and Democratic Registrar of Voters election. Here are what voters were saying at three voting sites Tuesday afternoon:
District 3: KT Murphy Elementary School, Horton Street
THE REFEREE: Poll moderator Bonnie Campbell, who has worked Stamford voting stations for five years, said Tuesday’s turnout was on par with other primary elections. She said voters were attracted to the polls Tuesday by both the U.S. Senate and Democratic Registrar elections.
“All I can say is we’re offering a smooth voting system to people and people are exercising their right to vote,” Campbell said. “I believe it’s very important that we make sure people have an equal and fair elections process.”
Absent from Stamford polling stations again this year were the “I Voted” American flag stickers. The Secretary of the State’s Office, which has historically sent the stickers to municipal registrars, stopped the practice in 2011 due to budget cuts.
“We just say thank you and have a nice day,” Campbell said.
THE JOBS VOTER: Kathleen Melchionne, a Republican, said she cast her ballot for U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon, who she supports because of her business background.
“I like her plans,” Melchionne said. “I think she’s capable of getting jobs in Connecticut, which we desperately need. And I’d like to see a change.”
MALLOY FOR REGISTRAR: Sumana Ray, a Democrat, said she voted for U.S. Senate candidate Chris Murphy and Registrar of Voters contender Ron Malloy.
“I voted for Ron because he has the expertise and the competence to get the job done,” Ray said.
District 5: Stamford High School, Strawberry Hill
CONGRESSIONAL DISSATISFACTION: Patrick Queally, a Democrat, would not reveal his voting choices but said he always casts a ballot on Election Day. The U.S. Senate primary was the race that captured his attention Tuesday.
“The country’s messed up, really,” Queally said. “You look at the deficit we’ve got; it won’t be paid off in a decade. We can’t keep going like this.”
Queally said his ideal candidate would do the opposite of what Congress is doing right now in Washington.
“They have to have some independence and be their own person and not just go along with the system,” he said.
“Congress I think is disappointing the whole country. They’ve done a lousy job, as far as I’m concerned.”
SENIOR BENEFITS: Louise Stern, a Democrat, also would not reveal who she voted for Tuesday, but said she wants her elected representatives to protect Medicare.
“Being a Democrat I’m very anxious to see the Democrats take control and get rid of all this negative stuff about (President Barack) Obama,” Stern said.
THE FEMALE VOTE: JoAnn Zuckerbrod, a Democrat, voted a straight female ticket Tuesday, casting her ballot for U.S. Senate candidate Susan Bysiewicz and Democratic Registrar of Voters candidate Annie Summerville. She based her decisions on campaign phone calls she received and political television advertisements, she said.
“I think it’s very important to vote,” Zuckerbrod said. “I’d like to see more women in the Senate. I think we need to shake it up a bit and I think women have a different sensitivity to things.”
District 14: Dolan Middle School, Toms Road
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: Estelle Pierce, a Democrat, said she voted for U.S. Senate candidate Susan Bysiewicz and Democratic Registrar of Voters candidate Ron Malloy. Women’s rights were the most important issue for her, Pierce said.
“I think this time around I don’t want to go back,” she said. “I’m not for abortion, but I want people to have the choice. And I wanted to give Susan a chance.”
Pierce said she voted for Malloy because she knows him and thinks he’d do a good job.
SENIOR BENEFITS: Linda Campbell, a Democrat, said she voted for U.S. Senate candidate Chris Murphy and Democratic Registrar of Voters candidate Ron Malloy. Campbell, who lives off of her social security checks, said protecting Medicare is a major concern for her.
“I don’t always vote in the primaries but I’m really concerned about this election,” she said. “I want Obama to say in and I feel like it’s going to be close. I’m really scared of the Republicans winning.”
Campbell said she voted for Malloy based on name recognition; the candidate is the older brother of former Stamford mayor and current Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.