(Seguin) — The number of voters who turned out for the March Joint Primary Election was not exactly record-breaking as initially predicted.
That’s according to Lisa Hayes, the Guadalupe County Elections Administrator.
“Our turnout was a little lower overall than the last presidential primary. I think we were looking at a difference of this primary, we had about a 21 percent turnout and the last presidential primary was around the 26 percent turnout. So, we did see a slight drop in that turnout and I really don’t know what to attribute that to but that’s what the numbers tell us. Overall though, everything went really well. We are glad people came out to vote. We always want as many voters as possible so we just hope that the voters keep coming out to vote and make their voice heard. That is why we are here,” said Hayes.
While the numbers were slightly lower, the overall process, according to Hayes, was smooth.
“From our end, it seemed smoother overall. I mean there’s always going to be a couple of little things where we might have lines taking a little longer, equipment slowdowns — not the voting equipment but anytime you are using electronic poll books and things of that nature, you are at the mercy of some of the technology but overall, everything went really well. Our poll workers as always are wonderful to work the polls for us and adapt and overcome and they do a really good job. We couldn’t do elections without them so they are always appreciated. But overall, everything went well. From our perspective, we thought that it was a pretty busy election day but I have heard from others that they said that the polls weren’t as busy as they expected. Our phones ring all day long non-stop because we have 36 locations calling us so for us, it always looks a little different than from those going to the polls,” said Hayes.
While the process was smooth inside, Hayes says there were a few complaints about what happened outside the polling locations and hopes that things will improve during future elections.
“I think one of the main things we saw at the polling locations and it was not at all the polling locations so I want to be clear about that but electioneering can be a problem for us voters who are electioneering wearing candidate gear and things like that — that really wasn’t a problem. We did have a lot of very enthusiastic supporters of different campaigns and candidates and I think we saw a little more voter complaints about those candidates and those campaign sign holders. They were outside the 100 foot mark which is the law but they were very enthusiastic in supporting their candidates and I think we did see a little bit of voter disgruntlement with the way some of that went and was something that was outside our control but we did see more of that than we normally do and that was a little bit disappointing. Anytime the voters call us complaining because they felt intimidated, it is a concern for us. So, I wish we had seen a little less of that and I’m hoping that moving forward, we don’t have so many issues with that,” said Hayes.
While they await the canvassing of votes in this election, Hayes says her office is preparing for the next two scheduled elections this spring
“We will have a primary run-off definitely in the Republican Party on May 28 and then of course, between now and then, we also have May 4 cities and schools election to prepare for and so that’s really what we are working on right now is to get ready for those elections and then we will roll into the May 28 Primary Run-off but we will have more information as we get passed the canvassed dates from this election,” said Hayes.
Despite the number of voters who turned out, Hayes says the overall number of registered people in Guadalupe did increase.
The number of registered voters in Guadalupe County is 123,857, compared to 117,790 this time last year.