Greenwich Election Day 2012 News Center [UPDATED] [VIDEO]

Updated, Nov. 7, 12:30 A.M.

Greenwich Republicans outperformed their candidates for national seats when it came to Connecticut legislative races in the Nov. 6 elections.

Republican incumbents—state Sen. L. Scott Frantz (36th District); state Reps. Livvy Floren (149th District) and Fred Camillo (151st District), and newcomer Stephen Walko (150th District) handily defeated their Democratic challengers. And, according to the numbers available, Greenwich resident Linda McMahon lost her second US Senate bid and Steve Obsitnik was unable to unseat incumbent US Rep. Jim Himes (D-4) despite carrying Greenwich.

With 14 of the 19 districts in Greenwich reporting, Frantz led Democratic challenger Daniel Dauplaise 14,274 to 7,558; Floren 4,280 over Democrat John Blankley, 4,280 to 1,930; Walko over Democrat Stephanie Paulmeno, 4,761 to 3,635; Camillo with 5,043 over Democrat David Rafferty, 2,447.

In national races, Republican Mitt Romney carried the town over President Obama, 13,583 to 9,981; US Senate candidate Linda McMahon over Democrat Chris Murphy, 12,818 to 9,696; and Steve Obsitnik barely carried the town over Cos Cob incumbent US Rep. Jim Himes, 11,337 to 11,077.

All told, about  71 percent of registered Greenwich voters participated in Tuesday's election day. In 2008, about 90 percent of voters cast their ballots.

Gathered at the St. Lawrence Club in Cos Cob, a couple hundred party faithful waited patiently for the vote tallies while knoshing on savory vittles and grog and watching national results on huge flatscreen televisions.

Among those seen at the gathering: former state Sen. Bill Nickerson who held the seat that Frantz will now serve a 4th term; former Greenwich selectman Peter Crumbine and his wife Bea; several GOP members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation: chairman Mike Mason, vice chair and budget committee chair Joe Pellegrino; budget committee member Leslie Tarkington; former Board of Ed member Michael Bodson; Tax Collector Tod Laudonia; former Board of Education chair Nancy Weissler; current board member Steve Anderson, Paul Curtis and Chris von Keyserling, of the Representative Town Meeting.

Updated, Nov. 6, 7:00 p.m.

Sixty-three percent of Greenwich's registered voters cast their ballots by 6 p.m., according to the Registrars of Voters. That translates into 23,068 of registered 36,480 voters.

Updated, Nov. 6, 6:05 p.m.

By 5 p.m., 55 percent of the town's voters had exercised their Constitutional right to vote. District 8 has the largest turnout so far with 2,434 ballots cast. So far, with 2 hours left to vote, 21,472 votes have been made. (Please see PDF for district vote breakdown.)

Updated, Nov. 6, 5:15 p.m.

With strong voter turnout (Greenwich at 55% as of 4 p.m.) and a healthy lead in the polls, Congressman Jim Himes (D-4th) said he was "feeling really good" about his chances for defeating Republican challenger Steve Obsitnik when he stopped by Democratic Town Headquarters in Greenwich Tuesday afternoon.

"The reason I'm feeling good is because of the polls I've been following — I tend to watch the Presidential [race] in the swing states — and of course I've been following the Murphy campaign closely — but all those numbers are in 'win' territory — some of them narrowly — but nevertheless in 'win' territory," Himes said during a brief interview, as campaign workers relentlessly called voters and shuffled about the tiny storefront. "When you have low turnout... the poll results can be less reliable. But when you have strong turnout… the results are more like the polls suggest," Himes added.

Himes said he was very pleased with the strong turnout — particularly considering this year's election came in the wake of all the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. "I mean, a week ago I wondered whether we would pull off the election," he said.

Himes said although the polls are trending in the Dems' favor for the Presidential, Congressional and Senate races, there's "still plenty of room for surprise," in the election.

"I mean, no pollster really knows what this electorate is going to look like," he said. "You've got the Tea-party enthusiasm on one side, which is only about two years old, and you've got a lot of enthusiasm for the President from young people and African Americans, but not as much as in '08, so those are unpredictable variables. And no pollster knows what effect that will have on the chemistry ..."

When asked how he is doing personally, beyond the numbers, Himes said,  "I feel good... I mean, the polls all along have shown that I'm quite popular in the district. I really do like my opponent, I think he's a nice guy, but I don't think he's run a terribly pointed campaign…"

Himes said he was feeling much more confident this time around, compared to his previous two bids for Congress.

"It's very different," he said of the 2012 campaign. "I'm not taking anything for granted today — I've worked really hard and I've raised the money — but in my last two elections I felt like I was hanging on by my fingernails, for weeks, but this time I don't. This time it feels like the basic blocking and tackling will get me across the line. I've never had an election where I wasn't in serious jeopardy, so this is a new feeling for me..."

When asked if he felt he got his message out to voters  — and if it resonated with them — Himes said, "I'm very lucky in that I have a very educated constituency. So, the traditional bullet points of both parties don't work very well. Most Republicans in Fairfield County don't really believe that the economic mess of today was caused by the Obama administration's spending — just the same way the Democrats don't really believe that the Republicans will do away with medicare. In that regard I feel like I can have a more real political conversation here in Fairfield County than happens elsewhere..."

When asked is he expects to pickup any new towns this time around, Himes said, "In my first race I won the three cities — and in my second race I won the the three cities, plus two towns. This time I'd like to win a few more towns… "

Also thrilled with the strong turnout was David Rafferty, candidate for the 151st District seat currently held by State Rep. Fred Camillo.

"It's been tremendous turnout overall and you really have to respect the efforts of everyone out there who is making that one last-ditch effort to get their point across," said the first time candidate for state office and five-term president of the Old Greenwich Association. "I think we've had a great story to tell from the beginning — and we're happy that people are saying 'we heard you, we're listening, and we liked what you had to say.' Whether they vote for it or not, that's there prerogative. But we've been delivering the message."

When asked how he was feeeling, personally, about the race, Rafferty said:

"We do no polling — and it's one thing to hear your friends say, 'we're here for y'a' — but, at the same time, there are a lot of people turning out, and they're saying some good things."

"We're doing some great things via social media — and that seems to be having some real effect — and I think we got the message out," Rafferty added. "It's hard in this area to get the message out because we're a Metro New York City media market. But we've had our opportunities — now it's up to everyone else."

Physically exhausted and running almost on empty, Rafferty said "Win or lose, either way I'm not talking to anyone for the next two days."

"This is my the first time as an elected candidate — but in a way I feel as though I've already been through this, because I've been active in the town for so long," he said. "It's been a great ride."

While at DTC headquarters Patch also spoke by phone with John Blankley, who is challenging incumbent State Rep. Livvy Floren (R-149th).

Blankley, former candidate for first selectman in Greenwich, said he too was happy with the strong voter turnout. The former corporate executive turned entrpreneur said he was optimistic about his chances against Floren, a six-term incumbent and a ranking member of the House Bonding Sub-committee, where she serves on the State Bond Commission.

"I think we did a good job of driving home our message — which is that I will take a business man's approach to the states problems," Blankley said, adding that his campaign activities included sending out thousands of mailers, going door-to-door throughout the district, setting out a "matching" number of campaign signs and making "more than 10,000 phone calls."

Blankley said he tried to keep his campaign focused on the big issues "and I feel really good about our efforts to get the message out."

However he added "I'm a businessman and I am if anything realistic about what to expect. Grewwncih is a very republican town  ... I think I bring a great deal of experience to the table ... all you can really do is play to your own strengths."

Updated, Nov. 6, 4:40 p.m.

Looks like more Greenwich residents are heading to the polls at the end of the work day.

The 4 p.m. tally shows 55 percent or 19,974 voters cast their ballots for the state and national races. There is a total of 36,480 voters in town.

Updated, Nov. 6, 4:15 p.m.

The 3 p.m. report from the Greenwich Registrars of Voters indicate that 51 perccent or 18,582 voters of the 36,480 voters cast their ballots in the town's 19 voting districts. The polls are open until 8 p.m.

Updated, Nov. 6, 2:40 p.m.

As of 2 p.m., 47 percent or 17,134 of the 36,480 registered voters in Greenwich have voted, according to the town's Registrars of Voters, Fred DeCaro and Sharon Vecchiola.

For a district breakdown of voter turnout, please see the attached PDF.

Updated, Nov. 6, 2:25 p.m.

As of 1 p.m., 43 percent of Greenwich's 36,480 registered voters cast their ballots as of 1 p.m., according to the town's Registrars of Voters.

In Byram, at New Lebanon School where Districts 4 and 4A vote, the turnout was just under 1,100 votes, according to John Perling, the District 4 poll moderator. "We right at 45 percent and still have half a day left. In 2008, we had more than a 90 percent turnout," Perling said. There are about 2,400 voters in the two districts, Perling said.

"We still have the work crew to come in between 5 and 8 p.m.," Perling added. Several of the neighborhood's seniors voted by lunchtime. "There is a fair number of seniors in Byram. They want to be home before dark and watch the results on TV."

For the complete tally on the votes cast as of 1 p.m., please see the attached PDF.

Original story, Nov. 6, 6:00 a.m.

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Good morning, and welcome to Election Day 2012!

Today, Greenwich residents go to the polls to choose a president, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative representing the 4th District, state senator representing the 36th District, and state representatives from the 149th, 150th and 151st Districts.

See below for information on where to cast your ballot and the list of candidates. We've also included how Greenwich voted in 2008, the year of the last presidential election, and 2010, the last mid-term election.

Read it over, then visit your local polling station between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. to make your voice heard! And be sure to check back here for updates throughout the day, including the announcement of the winners as soon as votes are tallied tonight.

Also, check out our live blog to see what voters and candidates across the state are saying about Election Day. This is also where you'll find live election updates all of the races affecting Greenwich.

State and National Races

U.S. Senate

Chris Murphy (D) and Linda McMahon (R) are vying for the seat vacated by Joe Lieberman. (Click on "U.S. Senate" for updates, results and reactions.)

Fourth Congressional District

Jim Himes (D) and Steve Obsitnik (R) are after the seat currently held by Himes. (Click on "Fourth Congressional District" for updates, results and reactions.)

Connecticut General Assembly

36th Senate District

L. Scott Frantz (R), an incumbent, faces off against Dan Dauplaise (D) for this seat, as well as Green Party candidate Remy Chevalier.

149th House District

Incumbent Livvy Floren (R) faces John Blankely (D) in this race for a district representing parts of Greenwich and Stamford. (Click on "149th House District" for details on the race.)

150th House District

Two longtime town residents deeply involved in town matters—Democrat Stephanie Paulmeno of Old Greenwich and Byram's Stephen Walko, a Republican—face off in the 150th House District race, seeking to win a seat being vacated by incumbent Lile Gibbons. (Click on "150th House District" for details on the race.)

151th House District

In the 151st District, incumbent Republican Fred Camillo faces Democratic challenger David Rafferty. (Click on "151st House District" for details on the race.)

Greenwich Polling Places

Polls open at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m.

Not sure where you're voting? Use the town's Polling Place Lookup form.

How Greenwich Voted in 2008 (85% Turnout)

(D=Democrat; R=Republican; G=Green; I=Independent; WF=Working Families; CL=Connecticut for Lieberman)

PRESIDENT

• Obama-Biden (D) — 16,233 votes
• McCain-Palin (R) — 13,937 votes

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 4st DISTRICT

• Jim Himes (D) — 12,555 votes
• Chris Shays (R) — 16,384 votes
• Richard Z. Duffee (G) — 149 votes
• Jim Himes (WF) — 237 votes
• Michael Anthony Carrano (L) — 190 votes

36th SENATE DISTRICT

• Mark Diamond (D) — 9,940 votes
• L. Scott Frantz (R) — 16,971 votes
• Zachary Chaves (G) — 597 votes

149th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

• Livvy Floren (R) — 5,365

150th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

• Lile Gibbons (R) — 6,415

151st ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

• Edward Krumeich (D) — 4,784
• Fred Camillo (R) — 5,932

How Greenwich Voted in 2010 (64% Turnout)

(D=Democrat; R=Republican; G=Green; I=Independent; WF=Working Families; CL=Connecticut for Lieberman; SA=Socialist Action)

U.S. SENATE

• Richard Blumenthal (D) — 8,975 votes
• Linda McMahon (R)  — 12,289 votes
• Richard Blumenthal (WF) — 273 votes
• Warren Mosler (I) — 168 votes
• John Mertens (CL) — 126 votes

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 4st DISTRICT

• Jim Himes (D) — 9,533 votes
• Dan Debicella (R) — 11,857 votes
• Jim Himes (WF) — 316 votes

36th SENATE DISTRICT

• Nancy E. Barton (D) — 7,090
• L. Scott Frantz (R) — 13,948
• David A. Bedell (G) — 198

149th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

• Livvy Floren (R) — 4,276
• Howard Richman (D) — 1,593

150th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

• Lile Gibbons (R) — 5,055

151st ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

• Claude Johnson (D) — 2,977
• Fred Camillo (R) — 5,342