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"Super" Turnout For Primary Election
By Kim Fink
 | | --Photo By Kim Fink Election volunteer Shirley Kirschbaum helps out voter Howard Fuller, who took part in the primary election. |
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Residents of District 32 gathered in polling places throughout Manchester Township last Tuesday to show support for their favorite candidates and get the ball rolling for this year's presidential election.
The largest primary election day, aka "Super Tuesday," is the day when many states hold elections to help choose the parties' presidential candidates. Although the number of states involved changes year to year, this year, New Jersey has joined with 21 other states to participate in the 2008 primary election.
The election is open to Democratic and Republican parties and their candidates; however, Independents are not on the ballot, nor can registered Independents vote in the election.
Volunteers at area polling places said that many people do not realize that they must be registered as either a Republican or Democrat in order to participate - and there's no way around it.
"Some people are taken aback when we ask them which party they are voting for but it's the way the primary election is done. We have to ask and they have to tell us when they sign in," said first time volunteer Vicki Mancuso. "Most people are fine with it though. If they've voted in the primary before, they know the rules."
Mancuso says she was also impressed with the great number of women who came out to vote.
"I'm not sure if it's because of Hillary or if women are just getting more interested in politics." She also said she believes the availability of information about the candidates has been a big factor in the number of voters and their knowledge of the approaching election.
Shirley Kirshbaum has been volunteering at the Redeemer Lutheran Church polling location for over 10 years and feels the response to the 2008 primary election has been the best she's seen.
"We've really had a steady flow of people all day long. There's been very little down- time," said Kirshbaum. "I've worked other presidential election years and I don't remember the primary being this busy. I'm thrilled to see everyone coming out and taking an interest. I hope to see them all again in November."
The 2008 presidential election takes place on November 4 for all registered voters throughout the United States. All registration information is available on the Ocean County Web site and at all local libraries. To download registration forms or absentee ballot forms, go to www. co.ocean.nj.us.
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