SALISBURY — Voter turnout in the Salisbury City Council election has been extremely light today, even at one of the city’s busiest polls.
At 2 p.m., fewer than 130 people had voted in the West Ward II precinct, which has 2,647 registered voters. Eighty-two people who live in the precinct voted early.
West Ward II usually has about twice as many voters as other Salisbury precincts, Chief Judge Pat Stellute said.
“It’s always been that way. This precinct has always been very politically active,” Stellute said. “But this is still pitiful.”
At this rate, turnout today will be lower than 10 percent, Stellute predicted.
Municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years, meaning the only race on the ballot in Salisbury is City Council.
Mildred Plummer said she was disappointed because she thought she would have the chance to vote for candidates for the Rowan County Board of Commissioners, who will appear on the ballot next year.
Plummer said she voted to re-elect all five incumbents to Salisbury City Council.
“They are doing a wonderful job,” she said. “I can’t say that about the county commission.”
Incumbents also earned the vote of Tim Truemper.
“They have done very well, and they represent the general community the best,” he said. “They operate in a calm and reasoned manner.”
All five incumbents — Mayor Paul Woodson, Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Blackwell and council members Karen Alexander, Pete Kennedy and Brian Miller — are running for re-election against four challengers, including William Peoples, Rick Honeycutt and Blake Jarman. Challenger Dale Stephens is apparently still in the race but has not campaigned or responded to questions from the Post.
Challenger Tom Speaks withdrew from the race. Polls close at 7:30 p.m.