Some Town Voting Results Supported Defeated Candidates

REGIONAL - Large numbers of people came out this past election to either support their incumbent leaders or voted for change by casting their ballot for challengers.

Old Saybrook had almost 68 percent of registered voters casting their ballot, quite remarkable for a community which had a 63 percent turnout four years ago during the last gubernatorial election.

Their office reported that almost 52 of those voters registered on Oct. 31, the last day residents could register to vote in the 2006 election.

Deep River's turnout was similar to Old Saybrook with approximately 68 percent, an increase from four years ago which had 64 percent.

Westbrook's turnout was approximately 65 percent of both active and inactive voters.

Chester had a 71 percent turnout; a turnout so high it forced the Chester polling station to remain open until 9 p.m., according to a spokeswoman from the Senator Eileen Daily Democratic headquarters.

Polls are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. but must remain open until voters in line cast their ballots.

Four years ago, Chester had a 62 percent turnout.

Chester's voice overwhelmingly was for Democratic challenger Ned Lamont who ran for U.S. Senate, capturing 51 percent, with 894 ballots.

Incumbent Joseph Lieberman came in second place with 39 percent, 695 votes, and Republican challenger Alan Schlesinger had 8 percent or 140 votes.

According to voter statistics obtained from town clerks in Deep River and Westbrook, Lieberman failed to obtain 50 percent.
In Deep River, 46 percent, or 943, voted for Lieberman while 44 percent, or 903, voted for Lamont and 9 percent, or 188, voted for Schlesinger.

In Westbrook, 45 percent, or 1,628, voted for Lieberman while almost 42 percent, 1,512, voted for Lamont.

Support in Westbrook for Schlesinger was 13 percent, or 473 votes, and was higher than the New Haven Register's statewide total which gave Schlesinger a little more than nine and a half percent.

Old Saybrook was most supportive of Lieberman with 53 percent, or 2,575 ballots, while almost 37 percent, 1,778 ballots, went to Lamont, and about 9 percent, or 454 ballots, went to Schlesinger.