A Slow Start for Woonsocket Voting

The 2011 municipal elections in Woonsocket got off to a slow start today with 2,527 voters, or 10.63%, trickling in to the city's 16 polling places by 3 p.m.

Only 2,001 of Woonsocket's 23,610 registered voters turned out for the municipal primary in October, a run-off election held to eliminate just one contender - City Council candidate Michael Moniz. Although Mayor Leo Fontaine is running unopposed, voters have the opportunity to vote on four potential changes to the city's Home Rule Charter, along with voting in a new City Council and School Committee.

Around 31% of Woonsocket's registered voters turned out during the 2009 municipal elections, a cycle which included a mayoral race.

Polling places opened at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. tonight.

The following numbers were reported by select polling places throughout the city this afternoon.

St. Agatha's Church- 1:30 p.m.: 164

Bernon Heights Elementary School- 1:35 p.m.: 159

Fairmount Heights- 1:50 p.m.: 99

St. Stanislaus Parish Hall- 2 p.m.: 161

Morin Heights Hall- 2:18 p.m.: 114

Kennedy Manor- 2:30 p.m.: 189

Sacred Heart- 3:00: 63

Fire Station 2-3:00: 74

Only Leo Savoie Elementary reported seing more than 200 voters by 3 p.m. this afternoon. Another official tally on the total turn out throughout Woonsocket will be available from the Board of Canvassers at 7:20 p.m.

Check out our for more information on where and how to vote.

Woonsocket Patch will post updates throughout the evening with including a live blog of election results later tonight.