If the tiny Evelyn Marcelli School Annex in Frenchtown is any indication, voters were making a strong turnout as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Annex, which has 600 registered voters, also accommodated the 900 voters registered at Evelyn Marcelli Elementary School.
"But they didn't bring their (the school's) machines," lamented Henry Richardson as he manned the Lorraine Berry booth, donned in a Herbie Lockhart T-shirt. Only three machines were available at the annex, and lines had been as long as 25 or so persons earlier in the day, Richardson said.
The vote count was 520 as of 2:30 p.m.
Activity was intense as campaign workers darted around, jumping up with their candidate's placards and a plea for a vote. The area was studded with bright colored umbrellas as the workers escaped the afternoon sun.
"Donastorg's my man," said Beatrice Selkrigde, proffering a picture of "Foncie." Selkridge said she was sure her man would get in. "Lots of people have told me, 'Don't worry, you've got my vote'," she said, adding that she sees a more positive than negative attitude among the voters.
Frenchtown pharmacist John David, wearing his brother Roosevelt's T-shirt, was enthusiastically greeting the voters.
"You didn't know he was my brother, my my," he greeted one voter. "Vote for him, please."
Sen. Berry greeted the partisan crowd – there's always a big Berry contingent at Marcelli. "I think the people are determined to make a change this year," Berry said. "When you see a lot of people, it usually means change."
The senator said she had been to several polling places and they were active, especially at Joseph Gomez School where long delays in voting had been reported.
"I think you'll see some incumbents re-elected with a few new people," she predicted, "and I hope they have the territory's economy in mind."
Congresswoman Donna Christian-Christiansen made a brief appearance, shaking hands and greeting old friends and supporters. She agreed with Berry's remarks.
"A good sized crowd is indicative of real concern in the community," she said, "and the bitterness of the teachers' strike is bound to make itself felt too."
There was an air of excitement Tuesday, noticeably missing in earlier primaries. The voters were in earnest conversation: "What do you think?" "Do you think the teachers will vote them all out?" "They sure should, if you ask me." "And, another thing, they shouldn't let people who've been in before, and then lost, run again." "Oh, do you really think so?" "Yes, man."
