Early voter turnout buoys hopes for higher numbers

Voter turnout was subdued but steady today with hopes that numbers will equal those in June. (The Lebanon Voice photo)

LEBANON - Lebanon voters head to the polls today to vote on a plethora of town referendums including changes to the way many town fee are regulated, to additions to the town's mass gathering ordinance to whether or not to spend $6,000 to enlarge the space where selectmen meet twice a week.

By 10:30 a.m. Town Clerk Mandy Grenier said about 270 residents had voted at the Lebanon Elementary School.

"We had a good surge around 9 a.m. and it's been pretty steady," Grenier said.

For the first time in many years the way voters flow through the polls has changed with residents being asked to enter through the side door facing the nearby Hanson School.

Once inside voters get their ballots and vote in the same area as always.

Several petition drives were active in the office adjacent to the hall where town officials used to sit and through which voters previously entered the polls from the school's front door.

Petitions for raising the minimum wage, legalizing marijuana and increasing the selectboard to five members were all available for residents' signatures.

Grenier said with the beautiful November day she hoped to at least equal numbers that came out to vote in June.

Polls will be open till 8 p.m.