Voting Day in L.N. or was it?

The voting polls opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday in Laguna Niguel but remained quiet with low voter turnout throughout the day.

At  the new community room was set up and ready for voters, however, it was empty when Patch stopped by mid-day.

"The election is being conducted by the County of Orange, so the city has no role in monitoring voter traffic. The county is using the new City Hall community room as a polling place. The poll workers here report that traffic has been light … about 40 voters since the polls opened this morning. The Casey family voted by mail last week," according to

A few hours later, three volunteers seated in the same room were still far from busy. In fact, around 2:30 p.m., they were enjoying snacks and talking with each other rather than assisting voters.

"It's been quiet and since we opened, we've only had 68 people," said volunteer Arnold, who added that he had to be on duty until 8 p.m. "Most have already mailed in their ballots."

Resident and Patch photographer, Barton Mac Leod, said he was one of the first to enter city Hall on Tuesday morning, and agreed it was quiet.

"I mailed mine last week," he said. "My feeling about the election is that it's never OK for tax increases or bonds." 

Anthony Bogle, principal at in Laguna Niguel agreed that turnout was low.

"I voted by absentee this morning right here at Crown Valley Elementary School. I think it's important to vote every year, but in my opinion, I don't think people in this community think the same way."

He added that whether people feel "dead set" or not about an issue such as the “cancer research prop, people in the community don't see a need to vote in the primaries. At 11:40 a.m., on Tuesday the walk-in traffic was low ... only 19 people."

According to Barbara Polina, precinct head at Crown Valley Elementary School, "Two precincts that report to Crown Valley Elementary say the majority of those in the community have already voted by mail or have dropped off their absentee ballot already."

said that absentee voting in Laguna Niguel is indeed the popular choice among residents. 

"Voting is the single biggest responsibility we have as citizens and we as a society needs to do better,"Glaab said. "Not only do they need to vote but they need to be informed voters. Ignorance and apathy has too long been a national policy, and is why we have some of the problems we have today." 

While many mailed in their ballots, some did get in their cars and head to their local precincts including resident Agnes McGlone Swanson, who voted at the

“It is always a thrill to vote. My pride for being an American is never stronger than on election days. I like to bring my children with me too so they can experience it as well. God Bless America.”

Resident Laurie Davis, who is also a candidate for City Council this year said, "When talking with the volunteers at my voting location, they said that the voter turnout is typically lighter during the day. However, they expect the majority of voters to arrive in the early evening hours. 

"I am so grateful that our city has such dedicated citizens that are willing to give their time to assist others so that we can exercise our right to vote," she said.