Heavy voter turnout expected in St. Lawrence County

CANTON – A hotly contested race for county clerk, as well as contested races in Ogdensburg and in Potsdam, where voters also will decide the fate of their village, are expected to lead to a higher than usual voter turnout today in St. Lawrence County.

The county clerk’s race pits Democrat Gavin M. Regan, who holds the position, against Republican Mary Lou Rupp, who briefly held the post after Patricia A. Ritchie resigned to become a state senator. Ms. Rupp’s position as first deputy was eliminated by Mr. Regan following his appointment to the post in March by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Countywide, the split between Republicans and Democrats is minimal, with 21,899 Democrats and 21,283 Republicans.

At the county level there is also a race for Family Court, where voters will elect a replacement for Barbara R. Potter, who is not running for re-election.

That race pits Democrat Cecily Lavigne Morris against Republican Andrew S. Moses. Ms. Morris is also running as an independent and Conservative.

St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee Chairman Mark J. Bellardini said he feels good heading into today’s vote.

“I feel pretty confident in both of them,” he said, referring to Ms. Morris and Mr. Regan. “Both of our candidates worked very hard. They were out there wearing the soles off their shoes and knocking on doors just like in the old days.”

Republican Committee Chairwoman Nancy K. Martin said she too is feeling confident.

“We’ve all worked hard. The countywides, Supreme Court candidates and on the town, village and city level. I’m optimistic. We have certainly gotten the attention of the voters,” she said. “I hope the voters support our candidates with their votes.”

While neither Board of Elections Republican Commissioner Thomas A. Nichols nor Democratic Commissioner Jennie H. Bacon specifically mentioned the clerk’s race, when asked if the commissioners were expecting a higher-than-usual turnout countywide, they both encouraged each of the county’s 58,590 registered voters to cast their ballots today.

“We always hope for a higher voter turnout than we end up getting,” Ms. Bacon said. “I would always like to say we’ll get 80 percent, but we never do.”

Mr. Nichols agreed. “We’re hoping that everyone gets out to vote. These are decisions that affect all layers of government,” he said. “We get calls from people complaining about things, but they don’t vote.”

He said the proximity to Veterans Day should serve as a reminder to people who may be leaning toward not voting.

“People should exercise their constitutional right to vote,” he said. “Veterans Day is Friday and those veterans died so people could have the chance to vote.”

In addition to dissolution, Potsdam village voters will elect a mayor and two trustees.

In the race for mayor, Trustee Steven W. Yurgartis, a Democrat, will face Republican Sharon M. Hutchinson.

Mayor Reinhold J. Tischler, a Democrat, is seeking a seat on the board. He’s joined by Republicans Richard G. Hutchinson and Joseph J. Goliber, as well as Democrat Eleanor F. Hopke and independent Mark T. Lee. There are 2,312 registered voters in the village: 563 Republicans, 1,042 Democrats.

Ninety-six absentee ballots were mailed to village voters.

Ogdensburg has a contested mayor’s race pitting Republican William D. Nelson, who will seek a fourth term, against businessman Jack F. McGrath, who is running as an independent but earned the endorsement of the city’s Democratic Committee.

The city’s 5,714 voters also will elect three councilors, as Nicholas J. Vaugh, Douglas G. Sholette and Michael B. Powers opted not to seek re-election. The race includes three Democrats, Nicholas B. Friot, James L. McCoy and Jennifer Stevenson, who also is running as an independent. They are facing Republicans Wayne L. Ashley, James R. Amo and William D. Hosmer, who also will appear on the Conservative line. Ogdensburg has 2,393 Democrats and 1,876 Republicans.

Four years ago, the mayor’s race in Ogdensburg was decided by absentee ballots, with Mr. Nelson winning by five votes. Should any races be close, 156 absentee ballot were sent out.

According to the board of elections, 1,522 absentee ballots were sent out across the county