Those Who Didn't Vote Say Lack of Information Kept Them From the Polls

With 73 percent of Farmington voters absent from the polls at the end of Thursday’s budget referendum, people started speculating. Is it apathy? Complacency? Why aren’t Farmington residents turning out to vote for what Town Council Chairman Mike Clark called a vote that affects every aspect of their lives?

Around town, many were claiming ignorance.

“I didn’t even know what the vote was about,” said Joseph Smith. “I had no idea.”

He was not alone. Rose Torres, whose children have graduated, said she was upset to have missed the vote.

“I had no clue. Of course we do care. It affects our community and everybody who lives here and works here,” she said. She was glad to hear she would get a second chance to vote on the budget, but concerned that the Town Council would be forced to make cuts with the input of only a small percent of the town’s population.

Some, especially seniors, said they had no way of getting information about the budget, and didn’t feel qualified to vote. Ladies playing Bingo at the senior center Wednesday said they didn’t have computers and didn’t learn much about the budget from the newspapers -- but not all who skipped the vote were older.

“I didn’t know what the proposed budget was,” said Jeff Deloy, 22. If I’m not sure what I’m voting on, I’m not going to vote."

Linda Inglis said it was easier to absorb information about state and national news than about local issues. While she didn’t vote Thursday, she said she does vote in elections.

“I don’t watch the news and frankly didn’t know what it was about,” said Linda Inglis. “I’m really not that knowledgeable.”

Oliven Michaud, on his way into Stop & Shop in Unionville, said he thought voting was futile.

“I can’t change what they do anyway. Whatever they put up they’re going to get anyway,” he said. Michaud was pleasantly surprised to learn the Town Council had not gotten what it requested and would be forced to make cuts.

Information about the budget is provided by the Town of Farmington on its website at Farmington-ct.org and was sent out in the most recent town newsletter.