Polls Slow During Business Hours

Volunteers at several polling locations in Chestnut Hill have said that they haven't been very busy during today's primary election.

At the Water Tower Recreation Center, volunteers said that about 20 percent of more than 600 voters registered in that division had come in to cast ballots as of 4:30 p.m. 

"I've been working the polls a few years," said volunteer Diane Luffy. "This is unusually slow."

Early afternoon rain may be to blame for the low turnout, but one volunteer said she was optimistic for turnout after business hours.

"People will come home, feed the kids, and come out to vote. Once they get done work, and see that it's not pouring rain anymore, they'll come out," she said. "When the trains come in, too, the people come. I see it eery year."

Volunteers at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting on East Mermaid Lane said they expected higher turnout because of the open City Council seat, but they estimated about 25 to 30 percent of voters had come in.

For the polling locations in Chestnut Hill, see the complete list . Polls close at 8 p.m.

Check back at Chestnut Hill Patch after polls close for updates on today's election results.