THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 13, 1995 TAG: 9511130043
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: ELECTION FOLLOW-UP 1995
SOURCE: BY KATRICE FRANKLIN AND TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
They showed up in wheelchairs and on canes. Some came fresh from the Million Man March. Some traveled across their sopping suburban lawns to get there. They all came for different reasons, but together they pumped up the turnout at the polls on Tuesday.
Across the area, a surprising number of people voted last Tuesday.
In Hampton Roads, 45 percent of the registered voters turned out, despite the heavy rain and the lack of ``glamour'' races, such as a governor or president on the ballot.
That was down from last year's elections, but up slightly over 1991, the last time the entire legislature was up for grabs and no national or statewide offices were on the line.
Turnout went up in three Hampton Roads cities and declined slightly in two.
The increase was largest in Norfolk, where 45 percent of registered voters turned out, up 13 percentage points from 1991; in Portsmouth turnout was up 9 percentage points, to 51 percent of those registered, and in Chesapeake it was 44 percent, up 3 percentage points from 1991.
Virginia Beach and Suffolk both dropped 6 percentage points in turnout.
So why the overall increase?
Those who analyze voting patterns said there was no single explanation for the interest.
``Given the mixed outcome of the elections, I'm inclined to say there was no primary factor in the races,'' said Thomas Morris, a political scientist and president of Emory & Henry College.
He noted, though, that there was a lot at stake in this election.
``Normally you expect the lowest turnouts in an off-year, state election when there are no national or statewide races,'' Morris said. ``In this race, we started with that assumption, but the fact that competition and television advertisement were involved usually makes turnout a little bit higher.
``Gov. George Allen gave large reasons for voters to vote one way or the other by making the elections a referendum of his policies,'' Morris said. ``Election results showed a good number in support and an equal number in disapproval. He became a central figure. That usually generates more turnout.''
Concerns about Medicare and Medicaid apparently spurred some elderly folks to the polls, several observers said.
But for some it wasn't a specific issue, it was an opportunity to vote for change.
For the first time in Virginia history, Republicans had a reasonable chance to take control of the state Assembly.
It ignited fierce competition in districts that had been uncontested in previous elections. Political ads saturated the broadcast airwaves.
Citizens were given a clear choice, not only between two candidates, but also between political philosophies.
It prompted many to give the election extra attention.
``I don't think Virginians are ready for the types of changes that could have been made,'' said Renee Graham, a Portsmouth teacher who voted in Cavalier Manor. ``It's (Virginia) not as radical as the governor would have it. This was a wake-up call.''
Other voters, however, said they went to embrace Allen's agenda.
``I kind of got the impression from most people I know that they were voting for change,'' said Robert Council, another Portsmouth voter. ``It was . lot of people. I wanted to make the same point locally that was made nationally - I voted straight Republican, even though I'm not a Republican. I want the same improvements made locally that were made nationally.''
George E. Schaefer III, chairman of the Norfolk Republican party and a candidate who lost his bid to unseat Del. George H. Heilig Jr., visited many polling sites on election day. He said he was amazed at the turnout in Norfolk.
``I saw a considerable amount of people I'd never seen before,'' said Schaefer, who visits polls every election. ``A lot of older people came out. The Medicare and Medicaid issues brought people out. A lot were talking about it.''
But Schaefer also said an ``incredible barrage of TV ads in this campaign,'' heightened interest in the election and brought people to the polls.
So why was turnout down in Virginia Beach and Suffolk?
In Virginia Beach, five candidates were unopposed Tuesday. Residents of the easternmost section of the city had no General Assembly choices, and therefore little reason to go out in the rain.
The unopposed were: Republican Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle and GOP Dels. Harry R. Purkey, Robert F. McDonnell and Robert Tata and Democrat Del. Glenn R. Croshaw. Three of those five districts were contested in 1991.
Although Suffolk was a senatorial battleground, Republican Del. Robert E. Nelms, whose 76th House District includes some of the most populous sections of Suffolk, ran uncontested this year. In 1991, he was involved in a bitter race with John D. ``Jack'' Eure Jr.
Alexandria and Roanoke also showed increases in turnout over 1991.
Alexandria reported 39 percent, compared with 28 in 1991. Roanoke jumped from 43 percent to 59.
``What got people were the impact of the issues,'' said Beverly Beidler, Alexandria's registrar. ``They were very important. This race was more complicated than `Do you like candidate A or B.' ''
Shelva Painter, head registrar in Roanoke, said , ``It appeared we had competition this time,'' Painter said.
In Chesapeake, a special City Council election and a bond referendum helped bring out voters.
Gloria Johnson, who worked the polls in Chesapeake's Camelot precinct heard all the reasons folks came out: from the Million Man March in Washington on October 16 to the local issues.
But many were also talking about water, she said. In Chesapeake there was a referendum to allow the city to issue bonds to improve the city's water system.
``They've had enough of this salty tasting water to know they've got to get some better tasting water,'' Johnson said.
KEYWORDS: ELECTION VOTER TURNOUT by CNB