Round 1 tomorrow for Turner’s seat Despite crowded field, low turnout expected in special council election

Round 1 tomorrow for Turner’s seat
Despite crowded field, low turnout expected in special council election

By Andrew Ryan
Globe Staff / February 14, 2011

On paper, Tito Jackson looks like the runaway favorite to take the top spot in tomorrow’s special preliminary election for the City Council seat held for a decade by Chuck Turner.

Of the six names on the ballot, Jackson has won the high-profile endorsements, secured the overwhelming support of labor unions, and dominated the fund-raising battle, amassing $40,000 compared to his nearest rival’s $3,500.

But this is an unusual election in the dead of winter when turnout is expected to be extremely low. That means just a handful of votes may decide which two candidates will face off in the final election March 15.

“It’s not so much your endorsements that count,’’ said Joyce Ferriabough Bolling, a longtime political watcher from District 7 whose husband, Bruce Bolling, held the seat for a decade. “What it will be is how you count your votes and how you bring those people to the polls.’’

FULL STORY HERE:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/02/14/round_1_tomorrow_for_turners_seat/?page=1