Low Voter Turnout Expected Today

In several recent elections, voter turnout has been low in precincts with large numbers of Harvard students.

But in today's Massachusetts primary elections, the apathy traditionally found in Harvard polling sites will likely be the standard across the 2,105 precincts in Massachusetts, including the 42 in Cambridge. Polls open today at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Despite hotly contested races to nominate candidates for governor and U.S. Senator, fewer than 25 percent of Massachusetts voters will likely cast ballots today, according to estimates by the office of Secretary of State Michael J. Connolly.

"It seems like there might be a light turnout," said Teresa S. Neighbor, executive director of the Cambridge Election Commission.

Low voter turnout means that election results may be difficult to predict, rendering polls meaningless, said David M. Denehy, a spokesperson for U.S. Senate candidate John R. Lakian.

"The small number of people who vote in a primary makes it more volatile," Denehy said.

Election Commissioner Darlene G. Bonislawski said turnout will be low because primaries are not as exciting to voters as presidential--or even municipal--elections.

In 1990, the year of the most recent gubernatorial primary, voter turnout in Cambridge approached 50 percent, Neighbor says. But she does not expect such an "unusually high" turnout today.

Currently, Cambridge has 42,734 registered voters, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by a nearly ten-to-one ratio, according to election commission records.

Bonislawski said a change in Massachusetts laws allowing voters to register by mail and when renewing their driver's license has led to increased voter registration in Cambridge.

"I do think we have seen some increased registration because of the new motor voter law," she said.

Bonislawski said she does not know whether part of the increase in registration is attributable to excitement about today's election.

In addition to selecting the gubernatorial and senatorial nominees, Cambridge voters will anoint candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, U.S. representatives, Governor's Council members, state legislators, district attorney, clerk of courts, register of deeds and county commissioners.

Some hotly contested races include the Democratic race for lieu-tenant governor, in which state Rep. Marc D. Draisen of Roslindale and Robert K. Massie, a Sommerville minister, are competing for the nomination.

In the secretary of state race, multiple candidates are vying for both the Democratic and Republican nominations in the hopes of succeeding Connolly, who is retiring.

Harvard students vote in six different precincts, so residents of different houses will have a say in different elections.

For example, residents of the Leverett, Dunster and Mather Houses, the Union dorms and DeWolfe St. housing will help choose the next president of the Massachusetts state senate.

These voters will pick between current state Sen. Robert E. Travaglini (D-Boston), who supports current Senate President William M. Bulger (D-Boston), and Denise Salemi, a member of the Revere school committee and a backer of Sen. William R. Keating (D-Sharon) for president of the senate.

Keating, in his challenge to Bulger, has assembled a statewide slate of candidates who oppose Bulger's leadership.

Quad residents will select a replacement for outgoing state Sen. Michael J. Barrett '70 (D-Cambridge), who is seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Mark Cote of Boston and state Rep. Warren Tolman (D-Watertown) are contending for the Democratic nomination for Barrett's seat, which includes parts of Middlesex and Suffolk counties. In keeping with the local liberal bent, there is no Republican candidate for the post

"The small number of people who vote in a primary makes it more volatile," Denehy said.

Election Commissioner Darlene G. Bonislawski said turnout will be low because primaries are not as exciting to voters as presidential--or even municipal--elections.

In 1990, the year of the most recent gubernatorial primary, voter turnout in Cambridge approached 50 percent, Neighbor says. But she does not expect such an "unusually high" turnout today.

Currently, Cambridge has 42,734 registered voters, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by a nearly ten-to-one ratio, according to election commission records.

Bonislawski said a change in Massachusetts laws allowing voters to register by mail and when renewing their driver's license has led to increased voter registration in Cambridge.

"I do think we have seen some increased registration because of the new motor voter law," she said.

Bonislawski said she does not know whether part of the increase in registration is attributable to excitement about today's election.

In addition to selecting the gubernatorial and senatorial nominees, Cambridge voters will anoint candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, U.S. representatives, Governor's Council members, state legislators, district attorney, clerk of courts, register of deeds and county commissioners.

Some hotly contested races include the Democratic race for lieu-tenant governor, in which state Rep. Marc D. Draisen of Roslindale and Robert K. Massie, a Sommerville minister, are competing for the nomination.

In the secretary of state race, multiple candidates are vying for both the Democratic and Republican nominations in the hopes of succeeding Connolly, who is retiring.

Harvard students vote in six different precincts, so residents of different houses will have a say in different elections.

For example, residents of the Leverett, Dunster and Mather Houses, the Union dorms and DeWolfe St. housing will help choose the next president of the Massachusetts state senate.

These voters will pick between current state Sen. Robert E. Travaglini (D-Boston), who supports current Senate President William M. Bulger (D-Boston), and Denise Salemi, a member of the Revere school committee and a backer of Sen. William R. Keating (D-Sharon) for president of the senate.

Keating, in his challenge to Bulger, has assembled a statewide slate of candidates who oppose Bulger's leadership.

Quad residents will select a replacement for outgoing state Sen. Michael J. Barrett '70 (D-Cambridge), who is seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Mark Cote of Boston and state Rep. Warren Tolman (D-Watertown) are contending for the Democratic nomination for Barrett's seat, which includes parts of Middlesex and Suffolk counties. In keeping with the local liberal bent, there is no Republican candidate for the post