41 Percent Voter Turnout in Norwood Primary-September 11, 1974

Favorable warm weather combined with a fiercely contested local representative race brought an unexpectedly large turnout to the polls in yesterday’s primary elections across Norwood.

Strong Voter Turnout and Primary Totals

A total of 6,847 ballots were cast, representing approximately 41 percent of the town’s 16,700 registered voters. A concentrated grassroots push by the seven Democratic candidates seeking the state representative nomination drove the overwhelming majority of participation, with 6,026 residents casting Democratic ballots, while registered Republicans cast 821 votes in their respective primary contests.

The complete breakdown of Norwood’s primary voting totals reflects heavy local engagement across state and district offices:

• Representative in General Court (Democratic Primary):
  • Richard D. Armour: 779
  • William F. Butters: 784
  • Keady: 416
  • Lydon: 734
  • Plasko: 504
  • Riley: 640
  • William S. Sullivan: 1,369
• Governor (Democratic Primary):
  • Michael Dukakis: 2,518
  • Robert H. Quinn: 3,245
• Lieutenant Governor (Democratic Primary):
  • Gerald F. O’Neill: 2,200
  • Christopher A. Iannella: 1,543
  • William Sullivan: 900
  • Francis W. Hatch Jr. (Republican primary listed for context): 569
• Attorney General (Democratic Primary):
  • Francis X. Bellotti: 2,164
  • Garrett H. Byrne / others: (various)
• State Representative — Republican Primary (17th Norfolk District):
  • David C. Boch: 469
  • Sheehan: 323

Electronic Voting System Delays in Wellesley

While Norwood voters experienced smooth in-person voting, neighboring Wellesley encountered ongoing technical hurdles with its electronic voting system. For only the second time in operation, the town’s computer tabulation system failed to deliver timely vote returns. Although the town clerk’s office initially projected early results by 9:30 p.m., the first official precinct tally was not released until 11:00 p.m., and final tabulation was not completed until 2:15 a.m.

Weary election workers and staff disputed the root cause; while computer operators claimed the system performed well and blamed delays on hand-processing absentee and mutilated ballots separately, other staff members pointed directly to persistent computer glitches mirroring those experienced during the March town elections.

Unopposed Representative Reacts in Medfield

Meanwhile, in Medfield, State Rep. George Sprague (R-Sherborn) found himself in the unusual position of running unopposed for his second two-year term representing Medfield, Ashland, and Sherborn in the primary and upcoming November general election.

“Admittedly I’m in an enviable position being unopposed in the primary and general election in November, but I have mixed feelings about it,” Sprague remarked. “Naturally it’s much easier for me, but it is also very good to have a contest and a choice for the voter.”

Democratic town committee chairmen praised Sprague’s prior legislative record, noting that because he faces no electoral challenge, his full attention can be immediately directed toward upcoming January legislative priorities, including the proposed abolition of the Middlesex County Highway Department, reform of landfilling exemptions within agricultural laws, and renewed efforts to remove Medfield and Sherborn from the MBTA district.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger