Manchester, Town and Country Voting Was Slow Going But Ran Smoothly

UPDATED: 8:07 p.m. Tuesday -

The polls are now closed. St. Louis Couty Board of Elections officials tell Patch all ran smoothly at area polling places and there were no major issues.  

"The election process has been super throughout the day. We've done a marvelous job of training our poll workers. The phones have been silent all day," said Joe Donahue, Democratic director of elections. Mid-day Donahue told Patch that everything is going "super" with the elections. There have been no problems with machines or other issues. Donahue said since the polls opened, it's been "smooth sailing."

Polling places opened at 6 a.m. across St. Louis County Tuesday. Town and Country and Manchester residents were out before the sun was up, voting for their aldermen, county assessor, and a fire board secretary.

“Traditionally an April election [turnout] is less than twenty percent,” St. Louis Country Director of Election Joseph Goeke tells Patch. He said there was no reason to believe Tuesday would be any different.

An election official at the , one of many local polling places, told Patch early Tuesday that  “this polling place votes,” indicating a belief that the turnout may be higher there.  By noontime, election workers there said they've seen only a slow stream of voters.

Town and Country resident and voter Allan Marquardt said the low turnout may be due to the lack of issues on the ballot. 

In Town and Country, Ward 1 Alderwoman Lynn Wright, Ward 3 Alderman Fred Meyland-Smith and Ward 4 candidate Jon Benigas are each running unopposed, while Ward 2 Alderman Tim Welby is running against last-minute write-in candidate John Hoffmann.

Welby and Hoffman's wife, Diana, were both outside the Municipal Center Tuesday, following St. Louis County Board of Elections electioneering guidelines, greeting voters as they arrived Tuesday,

Marquardt and his wife Lois tell Patch it's not a particular race that brought them to the polls Tuesday.

"It's just our duty to vote. It doesn't matter if there's an issue, it's our job to vote," Lois Marquardt explained.

It's a sentiment shared by several voters Patch spoke with Tuesday.

“I just believe it’s my duty,” Town and Country resident Kevin Fritz said as he entered Town and Country Municipal Center to cast his ballot. “I love my country and I want to support what I believe is my right.”

However, not all voters this morning at city hall were as nonpartisan as Fritz.

“I’m here for write-in John Hoffman for Ward Two,” Town and Country resident John Andreas said. “He has an aggressive stance against the deer here. It’s a problem and he’s the only one I’ve heard address it.”

Voters also showed support for Ward Two incumbent Tim Welby Tuesday, including Pete Spanos who was  outside the Municipal Center early Tuesday morning speaking with voters in and effort to drum up support for Welby.

“I’ve found Tim to be a reasonable voice and willing to look at different perspectives,” Spanos said. He said he has known Welby for a long time and has electioneered for him in the past.

In Manchester, Ward 2 Alderman Mike Clement is the only incumbent running unopposed. Current Ward Three Alderman Don Ryan is being challenged by John Schrader and Ward One Alderman Bob Tullock is facing Paul Hamill.

Manchester resident Phil DeLuca tells Patch it was a sent out by Don Ryan that secured his trip to the polls and his vote.

"I didn't like Don Ryan's flier. He lives in my neighborhood. John Schrader lives in my neighborhood. This is small-time city politics and there shouldn't be mud slinging," DeLuca explained.

Other voters tell Patch the circumstances surrounding the Manchester Board of Aldermen election wasn't what brought them out Tuesday. Many said they would have come out and voted no matter what.

Manchester resident Martha Sellenriek was one of the first voters at the in Manchester when polls opened at 6 a.m.

“I vote all the time,” Sellenriek said. “I’ve never missed once.”

Mike Bickel was another Manchester resident to cast his ballot early. “We live nearby and I always vote,” he said. “I think it’s important to vote no matter how low the election.”

Bickel said he is close to retirement and has every intention of volunteering as an election official in years to come. 

Also on the ballot is the first ever election for . Democrat  Jake  Zimmerman is running against L.K. “Chip” Wood, a Republican. Residents are also casting votes for Parkway School Board members Tuesday, and Board Secretary who is running unopposed.

Town and Country - Manchester Patch will post election results throughout the night as well as speak with candidates as those results come in. Patch will post stories later today on city races, the St. Louis County Assessor race and the Parkway School Board.

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