Contested Races Expected to Bring Strong Voter Turnout at Tuesday's Election

Election turnout is difficult to predict. But based on past results and instinct from the 45 elections he has on his resume, Woburn City Clerk Bill Campbell has an idea what to expect on Tuesday.

With a contested mayoral race, and hotly contested School Committee and aldermen races, Campbell said he is predicting around 8,500 ballots to be cast with a higher possibility of about 9,500. That would mark about 35 percent of the 24,235 registered voters in Woburn.

“That’s only based on my gut feeling,” said Campbell. “Every time I base it on a previous election, I’m off. You kind of get a sense for these things. You never can predict what motivates people to come out to the polls.”

Mayoral elections tend to bring out strong voter turnout. Going back several decades when opposed races were on the ballot, 9,700 voted in 1991, 11,900 in 1993, 11,800 in 1995, 9,800 in 1999, 11,300 in 2001, 12,400 in 2005, and 10,001 in 2009.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Campbell said that because of the city’s voting machines, there is a good chance residents will know the unofficial results by about 8:30 p.m.

Residents can click here for a list of what candidates will be on the ballot and what location they will be voting at.

This is the sixth election held in Woburn in 2013, and there is one more to come on December 10. Campbell said there are no changes that residents should be aware of before heading to cast their ballot.

“Usually I say if you’re going to vote, don’t do it at a high drop off time for public safety reasons,” said Campbell. “But the most important thing is to vote when you can.”

Check back with Woburn Patch for complete coverage of Tuesday’s election.