Lower voter turnout after polling changes

Farmington, Conn. (WTNH) - Polling sites in a number of towns were changes as the restoration from the autumn nor'easter continues.

Farmington is one of those areas. The town has consolidated two of its four polling sites because of all the power outages.
    
The question is will voters really travel to other places in order to cast their ballots?

Residents who usually vote at the West Wood School had to travel five miles to  the Irving School in order to vote. The Irving side of the gym had people voting as usual, but the displaced West Wood School tables had little action.

In Avon, residents who usually go to the Roaring Brook School have to go to Avon High School.

Laura Hunt, from the Avon Registrar of Voters, said, "We expect turnout not to be as good as usual because of the storm. People are in shelters and are not at home so they are not able to get out to vote."

Farmington Town officials went to court to try to postpone the elecetion, saying it wasn't safe while parts of town were still in the dark. But the judge said no, so the town sent out a reverse 911 message to let folks know where to vote. The question is, will they?

Henry Schadler, a Farmington resident, said, "There are other things to do and people have their minds set on getting their power back and running errands and doing the things you do on a normal day."

One campaign worker said it makes it easier on them; fewer places to vote means fewer places to staff. A poll worker said turnout is low so far, but she is still hoping for a last minute rush this evening.