Photo Gallery: Voting Day in Wilmette

Election day kicked off this morning at 6 a.m., and the Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch was on the ground this afternoon talking with voters and election judges.

Voters and election judges both noted an increase in turnout from the 2009 election because of many hot button issues, specifically contested election for village trustee, District 39 and the New Trier School Board positions and the proposed District 39 referendum tax hike $6.375 million.

While no one particular group of voice was able to directly influence, Jackie Petrozzi’s vote she felt it was important to try and decide what’s best for the community regarding the referendum.

“There have been a lot of opinions expressed,” Petrozzi said.

Universally, Patch encountered voters who were particularly interested in the outcome of the D39 referendum.

“I think the referendum has definitely bought more people out." said Wilmette resident Claire Weber, who's been an election judge for 34 years, "This is the larguest turnout I've seen in an off year that I can remember."

Twenty-year Wilmette resident Therese Heyek mentioned that while she hadn’t followed the specifics of all of the races the D39 School Board positions and referendum were important issues she wanted to express her voice on with her vote.

Check back with Patch for more updates throughout election day!