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NOVEMBER 8, 2018
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
With record turnout, voters lean left By Jason Starr Observer staff
Voters had a lot on their minds when they showed up at the Vermont National Guard Williston Armory to cast ballots in Tuesday’s general election. The election determined the make up of state government and who will represent Williston in the Vermont Legislature. But several voters said they were also eager to respond to the direction the federal government has taken under President Donald Trump. Turnout reached a record high for a mid-term election, accord-
OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
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ing to Williston Town Clerk Deb representing Williston in the state Beckett. Of the town’s 9,394 regis- Legislature. They defeated Retered voters, 5,057 voted, either on publican challenger Joy Limoge, Election Day or earlier through ab- who garnered 1,980 votes, and sentee ballots. That rivaled turnout independent Kathleen Orion who for the 2016 presidential election tallied 817. Macaig had 2,802 votes (5,709) and far surpassed turnout and McCullough 2,951. The pair will be a part of a for the last mid-term election in Legislature that 2014 (3,158). “This is the first time I’ve ever e x p a n d e d i t s voted in a midterm, but with what’s D e m o c r a t i c / going on with the country, with one Progressive maparty in complete control, I felt it is jo r it y b e yo n d important that there is a check, es- the reach of Gov. pecially with the president,” Brian Phil Scott’s veto Yates said after casting his ballot. authority. Scott, To that end, Williston voted a R e p u b l i c a n , overwhelmingly to return Indepen- won re-election dent Bernie Sanders (3,380 votes) s t a t e w id e ove r to the U.S. Senate and Democrat Democratic challenger Christine Peter Welch (3,552 votes) to the Hallquist. Williston voters supU.S. House of Representatives. ported Scott over Hallquist by a Welch will be part of a newly tally of 3,092 to 1,788. Macaig expects the threat of a Democratic-controlled House, while the U.S. Senate remained in veto override will lead to more policy compromises between the Republican control. “I vote in every election, but governor and Legislature. “It certainly will shift the discuswe are very displeased with the current administration, and we are sion with the governor … and make doing everything we can to help everyone think a little harder about bring (it) down,” said voter Tamara their position,” he said. McCullough accused Scott of Devereux. She and her wife, Season, moved abusing his veto power over the to Williston from North Carolina past two years but noted that Demin 2016 and have also taken the ocratic and Progressive legislators see VOTeRs pAge 2 time to educate themselves on state politics. “There are extra parties here,” Season Devereux said. “It’s a little challenging to suss out exactly what’s going on. There is a lot to choose from.” For voter Phil Daniels, the direction of the federal government under President Trump was not a motivational factor. “I come out because it’s my duty and we all have to,” he said. “It’s an important part of our democracy. I vote on local issues, and when it’s a national (election), I vote on that, but I don’t conflate the two.” Locally, Democratic incumbents Terry Macaig and Jim McCullough were chosen to continue Caption.
Vermont House vote tallies Jim McCullough: 2,951 Terry Macaig: 2,802 Joy Limoge: 1,980 Kathleen Orion: 817
OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
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OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
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