New Opinion Poll Shows Residents Largely Unaware of Upcoming Election
by Eric Mills, Our Town staff
Just hours before what should be an exciting debate, politicos all around Chesterfield Ridge are abuzz with the prospect of an exciting Mayoral race coming right down to the wire and possibly bringing a new leader to City Hall. But a new poll suggests that this enthusiasm has not reverberated throughout the entire town.
“Oh, are there elections again this year?” responded local baker Jeremy Brown when asked who he was planning on supporting. “Do they do that every year, or what?”
The large field of candidates, though unprecedented in Chesterfield Ridge’s political history, has not left much of an impression on registered voters. Of the 1000 people polled who were asked the question "Will you vote," 36% responded “No,” 15% responded “No way,” and another 42% answered “For what?” Only three people described themselves as “Likely to vote.” Among this demographic, Mayor Allenbach leads with 66.7% of the vote, but this contingent seemed unaware that there were other candidates until they were told by the pollsters and the other 33.3% was Allenbach’s rival James Walker.
But even when told of Allenbach’s challengers, it was difficult to muster up much excitement in this dreary bunch.
“I don’t care,” insisted George Tremont when repeatedly confronted outside a local delicatessen. “Seriously, I don’t care who’s running against him and I don’t care who wins.”
“I haven’t really thought about it,” said local psychiatrist Dr. Harrison Wheeler, looking out his window. “Did somebody slash my tires?”
Despite the feeling of apathy that is settling over much of Chesterfield Ridge, there is still a sizeable minority looking forward to what this could mean to local politics. “Yes, I’m very excited about casting my vote for James Walker on election day,” said a man who chose not to be identified but who looked an awful lot like aforementioned Mayoral candidate James Walker. “Like I told the woman on the phone, James Walker is the only man on the ballot who knows what this town needs after years of stagnant leadership by Mayor Allenbach,” the man said, polishing his prized putter. “That and I hear he’s a demon in the sack.”
