Parts of Westfield Seeing Power Restored; Polling Changes Create Voter Confusion

While it has been a long eight days for Westfielders, thousands of whom have been, and still are, without power, some are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel-literally.

Power was restored to both buildings of the Westfield Senior Housing Center on Boynton Avenue as of 9 p.m Monday evening. Residents on Sunset Avenue report that power was restored last night as well. First Street and Scotch Plains Avenue residents have also gotten their power back. 

Though Mayor Andy Skibitsky, in his latest update, asked residents to continue to have patience, that request is wearing thin with those who woke to temperatures as low at 32 degrees in their homes this morning.

Residents on the corner of Pearl and Boynton and those near Tremont and Euclid Avenue, who are still without heat and electricity, report trees have remained untouched since Sandy blew through town on Monday, Oct. 29.

Westfield resident Gary McCready created an interactive map that allows users to enter information about power outages and road closures. To view it and add your street closure or outage, click here.

Another source of frustration Westfielders are experiencing this morning comes from the change in polling locations. 

The Town of Westfield announced yesterday that Westfield residents who normally vote at Wilson School (Ward 2, Districts 4 & 5), will now vote at Franklin School. 

Those who normally vote at Washington School (Ward 2, Districts 2, 3 & 6), will vote at Roosevelt School.

However, signs were not posted on either building at 6 a.m. when polls opened, leaving voters confused. 

If you are unsure where to vote, find your polling place by texting the word, "Where" to 877877.

The New Jersey Department of State has issued a directive to county elections officials to permit registered voters who don’t vote at a polling place to vote electronically. The directive is intended to assist displaced first responders who are unable to vote at their regular location.

To vote electronically, voters may submit a mail-in ballot application either by e-mail or fax to their county clerk (by 5 p.m. on Election Day). Once an application is approved, the clerk will electronically send a ballot to the voter by either fax or e-mail in accordance with the voter’s preference. Voters must return their electronic ballot – by fax or email – no later than November 6, 2012, at 8 p.m.

Voters can download a mail-in ballot application by clicking HERE.

For more information or visit http://www.njvoterinfo.org/ or call 1-877-NJVOTER.

Westfield public schools remain closed today. A decision will be made on or before 8 p.m. this evening regarding tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 7.