5 Things Nov. 6: What You Should Know Before Heading to the Polls

Five Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

1. General information
Today is the 2012 presidential election with polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. All Norton Precincts will vote at Norton High School. Voters are encouraged to know their precinct prior to going to the polls. A street list with Precinct numbers is also available on the town’s website and will be posted at the entrance of the polls. Cell Phones should be silenced and campaign materials, buttons and other paraphernalia are not permitted at polling location. Precincts 3, 4 and 5 will enter the gymnasium at the first entrance. Precincts 1 and 2 will need to continue down hall and enter in the far entrance. All voters will be directed to exit through the gymnasium door opposite from the first entrance and down the hall adjacent to the gymnasium to avoid congestion at the entrance. High School Students and election workers will be positioned to assist you.

2. Parking and traffic
There will be no school in session, so all the parking at the high school is available for voters. A high voter turnout is expected for this election so residents can expect traffic on Route 123 and lines at the polls. Plan accordingly. Observers from some campaigns are expected to be at the polls in Norton. The law allows these observers to be there but they must remain in the areas provided to them and they may not interfere with process or speak to voters.

3. Voters needing assistance entering the polls
There is a doorbell at the front entrance to the school that will notify election workers to bring a wheelchair to the lobby. Voters should ring the bell and then enter and wait at the bench inside the lobby for the next available worker to come assist.

4. Statistics
In 2008, there were 11,576 registered voters with 632 requested absentee ballots. Of those voters, 77 percent came to the polls. In 2012, there are 12,041 registered voters with 701 absentee ballots requested as of Nov. 2. The Norton High School Civics class predicted  a 78 percent turnout for the real election.  Town Clerk Danielle Sicard agrees with that prediction, which would mean that 9,392 voters are expected.

5. A quote from the Town Clerk
“We are prepared for the crowds expected with additional election workers and high school student volunteers to assist voters on where to go.  I have held extensive training session with workers and am confident that all objectives for the day will be met.”