Snafu delays polling at Morristown’s TJ school

Thomas Jefferson School sign
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Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comments from Michelle Duprée Harris.)

Voting in Tuesday’s primary election started at 6 am– except at Morristown’s Thomas Jefferson School.

Poll workers were ready to go. But the school was locked.

“A custodian called out sick,” said Dale Kramer, administrator of the Morris County Board of Elections.

The building was opened just before 7 am, she said. As of lunchtime, she was awaiting details from poll workers about how many voters were turned away at the TJ School.

Polls remain open until 8 pm today, June 6, 2017. 

What about commuters who missed their only window for voting this morning?  Can they cast provisional ballots?

“They would have to call us and discuss that, case by case,” said Kramer. The Board of Elections is at 10 Court St. in Morristown, (973) 285-8350.

Mayor Tim Dougherty emerges after voting in 2017 Democratic primary. He seeks a chance to run in November for a third term. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Mayor Tim Dougherty emerges after voting in 2017 Democratic primary. He seeks a chance to run in November for a third term. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Mayor Tim Dougherty, who faces a primary challenge from Councilwoman Michelle Duprée Harris, said he made calls to election- and school officials on Tuesday morning to inquire about the TJ School situation.

“I’m disappointed the facility was not open,” he said at the Ann Street seniors complex, where he voted along with his wife Mary and their son, Ryan. “Not for my sake so much, but for the voters. Their vote is their voice.”

Harris said she got word of the glitch from her sister, who was working at the TJ polls.

Mayoral candidate Michelle Duprée Harris at her polling place, the Alexander Hamilton School, on primary day 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Mayoral candidate Michelle Duprée Harris at her polling place, the Alexander Hamilton School, on primary day 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The candidate said she called someone at the Alfred Vail School, where she teaches kindergarten, and also rang Morris District School Board President Leonard Posey.

Someone reached Morristown Town Clerk Kevin Harris (no relation to the candidate), who opened the polling place, Michelle Harris said.

A poll worker also contacted the county about campaign flyers for the Harris team that were placed on windshields in the Ann Street parking lot.

“One of the candidates put flyers on cars. They had to be at least 100 feet from the entrance” to the polling place, Kramer said. “Most of them were. But a few had to be removed.”

Council candidate Maria Scumaci, at the polling place in the Ann Street seniors complex. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Council candidate Maria Scumaci, at the polling place in the Ann Street seniors complex. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Maria Scumaci, a council candidate on the Harris ticket, arrived at the Ann Street polling place shortly after the Mayor voted, and said she was unaware of any problems.

“I was here voting,” Scumaci said. “I’m not sure what happened. I don’t have any details.”

As they were leaving the Ann Street building, the candidates were jolted by an enormous BOOM!!!

Nearby construction workers said an electrical fixture had exploded atop a pole in the Ann Street parking lot.

Kramer said the morning’s voter turnout appeared to be light.  In addition to local races, gubernatorial and freeholder candidates are on the ballot in Morris County.

 

MORE COVERAGE OF THE 2017 ELECTION

WHERE TO VOTE IN MORRISTOWN

Volunteer poll workers Pattie Morton, Brian Walker, Pam Carter and Jane Garcia at the Ann Street seniors center, June 6, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Poll workers Pattie Morton, Brian Walker, Pam Carter and Jane Garcia at the Ann Street seniors center, June 6, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Volunteer poll workers Fred Meyer and Joan Irving at the Ann Street seniors center, June 6, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Poll workers Fred Meyer and Joan Irving at the Ann Street seniors center, June 6, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Poll workers Munah Hayes and Vivian Morales at the Alexander Hamilton School, primary day 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Poll workers Munah Hayes and Vivian Morales at the Alexander Hamilton School, primary day 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Poll workers Hank Tanski and Deon Jordan at the Alexander Hamilton School, primary day 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Poll workers Hank Tanski and Deon Jordan at the Alexander Hamilton School, primary day 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

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