Bridgeport City councilman Richars Paoletto looked pretty lonely standing outside the J.F.K. Campus just after 2 p.m.
“In my 20 plus years doing this here, this is the worst I’ve ever seen this,” he said, of the low voter turnout.
Although his district, the 138th, didn’t have a council primary, Paoletto, who supports the endorsed school board candidates, said last he’d heard less than 100 people had showed up for the Board of Education primary.
At 2:30 p.m., in fact, the official count in that polling place was 111 people.
“In my last primary I alone had more votes than there are citywide right now,” Paoletto said.
Most people that arrive, though, appear educated on the issues and the candidates.
“They’ve seemed like they were on a mission one way or another,” he said. “Everyone who is coming here is coming with a purpose.”
Minutes later, current BOE member, a supporter of the opposing slate, said people need to understand the importance of the vote, especially in this election. Just one year ago, Mayor Bill Finch wanted to replace the elected school board with one appointed by the mayor.
“This is probably one of the most important elections,” Baraka said. “We need to show there is a genuine interest here. So come out and vote please.”