SALISBURY — The biggest story at Salisbury's town election last night wasn't who won, but who voted: nearly no one. Out of 5,638 registered voters, only 279 of them showed up to cast a ballot. That's about 5 percent turnout.
Only two candidates ran for town offices — Selectman and Triton School Committee — and neither had opposition.
Running for re-election, Selectman Fred Knowles took 259.
Running for the first time for the Salisbury seat on the Triton School Committee, Holly Beth Janvrin — Salisbury PTA President — got 260 votes.
Blanks and write-ins made up the rest of the 279 votes.
The only contest in Salisbury was a race for the Newbury seat on the Triton School Committee, and incumbent Dina Sullivan got 152 votes from Salisbury voters, her opposition — William Levasseur — earned 70.
For the few who turned out at the polls to hear the results, Salisbury's poor voter turnout was not something they applauded.
"It's very disappointing," said Selectman Don Beaulieu.
Town Clerk Wilma McDonald has never seen such a small turnout.
"I think we had a small turnout for a state primary once, but even that hit 300 votes, I think," McDonald said. "But there were no contested races and no override requests. Override requests get people out, because it hits them in the pocketbook."
But Knowles and Janvrin were still happy, thankful to those who turned out on a sunny, spring day to cast a ballot. McDonald swore both officials in right at the polls last night, so they can start — or resume — their jobs immediately.
That's fortunate for Janvrin. She has a scheduled School Committee meeting tonight.
