HighVoter Turnout Reported

Poll workers reported a high turnout at the polls Tuesday, which contributed to a close result in the Ogdensburg mayoral race.

"It has been good," said Jordan B. Fields, who greeted voters at the Dobisky Visitor Center.

In the early afternoon, Mr. Fields said the polling place had served 413 voters in districts 2 and 3.

At the end of the day, the unofficial results from the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections tallied a total of 1,470 votes in the mayoral election.

"I'd say that is a good turnout on an off year," Mr. Fields said.

At Riverview Towers, 188 voters from the District 1 had cast their ballots by 2:30 p.m.

"Our turnout has been steady and pretty good," poll worker Ronda L. Wells said. "There's a lot of interest."

Those early numbers held up throughout the day, Mr. Fields said. At 6 p.m., he estimated he had seen more than 650 voters.

Candidates also noted higher participation.

"When I went to vote this morning, they said that they had seen a very good turnout already at the Dobisky Center," said Jack F. McGrath, an independent candidate for mayor. "I would imagine there would be a high turnout for this election."

The numbers prompted enthusiastic response from Wayne F. Ashley, a candidate for City Council.

"I was at the fire station to vote this morning," he said. "They told me it was steady, which is good. That means people are upset."

Poll workers speculated recent problems with the City Council might be the reason for the high turnout in the city.

"It is probably the mess on the City Council," Mr. Fields said.

At the Ogdensburg Fire Department, where voters from the fourth and sixth districts turned out, election worker Robert J. Long said that discontent has motivated the electorate.

"A lot of people are tired of what they're paying and dissatisfied with what they're getting for it," Mr. Long said. He said the fire station had seen more than 600 voters by 8 p.m.

Others thought the credit should go to the candidates.

"The candidates have gotten the word out," Ms. Wells said. "They have all run good campaigns."

The St. Lawrence County Board of Elections reported sent out 156 absentee ballots. As of Tuesday afternoon, 111 had been returned.