The mayoral election in Port Chester brought out fewer than 2,700 of the 10,700 registered voters in the village, according to the preliminary stats.
The low numbers caught the attention in the comments section of today’s Journal News storyabout the results. In an unofficial tally by the clerk’s office, Mayor Dennis Pilla took 1,595 votes to win re-election, while Didden had 1,094. The official results will be certified by the village board Thursday.
By comparison, the sweeping trustee election in June of last year brought out more than 3,200 voters, either on Election Day or the “early voting” period the previous week at village hall. That followed an extensive voter education effort stemming from the Justice Department’s voting rights lawsuit and a consent decree with the village.
The last mayoral election, in 2009, had a turnout similar to this year’s, about 2,700 voters.
ADDED: Trustee Didden sent out this forward-looking message today about his unsuccessful bid. He and the mayor will be serving their respective terms together on the village board through March 2013:
I’d like to thank all the voters who came out for me in yesterday’s election. I am so grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I am deeply indebted to you. I wish the outcome had been different but unfortunately, we fell short.I would like to congratulate Dennis Pilla on his re-election. Now with the election behind us, it’s time to work together to move our Village forward with progress and a commitment to a better future! Let me reassure you that I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of all the residents of Port Chester as your trustee.
Japan
