LAWRENCE — There were more poll workers than voters in several precincts in the city today, but a steady stream of people have been heading out to vote for candidates for mayor, city council and school committee.

At election district B-4, the Valebrook elderly apartments at Summer and Union Street, 222 of the district's 600 registered voters had voted by 11 a.m. according to elections clerk Santos Acevedo

"It's kind of slow," Acevedo said. "The prediction so far has been right, 40 percent turnout."

"The peak voting hours will start soon,'' he said, adding the turnout will pick up during the afternoon hours.

Voters were split on who to elect for mayor.

Gary Peters said he voted for David Abdoo for mayor.

"I feel that he would be more representative and do what the city needs to be done," Peters said. The other mayoral candidate, William Lantigua, "has not shown that he has any interest. He wants to be the state Rep. and the mayor and you can't do both."

Carol Peters said she also voted for Abdoo, "because I feel like he can do more for the city and get more things done."

Bernardo Corsetti said he voted for William Lantigua.

"I voted for him because I like the guy," Corsetti said. "He's a good man and I like him."

Ari Valdez said he also voted for Lantigua.

"He has brought money to the city and is the best man for the job," Valdez said. "We need somebody who understands the problems of the city."

Election warden George Torres said 450 people turned out for the last election.

"We have more interest in this election, especially the Hispanic community," Torres said. "We are hoping to have 500 voters turn out."

About 190 people had voted at the Robert Frost School on Hamlet Street, cite of District E, as of about 9:15 this morning.

That number was "a little busier than normal," said poll worker Mary Lou Fishwick. "There were people here waiting at 7 a.m. to get in."

One voter, Angela Laverriere of Groton Street, said she was voting for mayoral candidate David Abdoo because "from everything I read, I like him the best."

Jim Casey, a Tower Hill resident at the District C voting precinct at the Engine 8 House on Amesbury Street, said he also supported Abdoo because "he has a vision ... and Lantigua is nowhere to be seen."

Lantigua has shunned several debates, saying he's focused on a more grassroots campaign.

"He sends a strong message to the residents of Lawrence that he thinks he's a shoo-in," Casey said of Lantigua. "I'm optimistic. I'm hoping for the best."

About 150 people had voted there as of about 10:30 a.m., which was "busier than normal," said poll worker Larry Baddoo. "At lunch, it will get busier."

His co-worker, Ruth Montesdeoca, agreed, saying that after 3 p.m., the precinct usually sees long lines. "After 3, everybody comes out."

While some cast their votes for Abdoo, many others were leaning toward Lantigua.

Elias Reynoso, 44, of Crescent Avenue, said he was voting for Lantigua because "he knows the Hispanic community. He understands it. He knows the problems, with education, jobs and the economy."

Francisco Lopez of Whitman Street, voting at the Arlington Education Complex, site of District C-4, said he cast his ballot for Lantigua because "I like him. He's better for my city. He identifies with the community."

About 128 people had voted there as of about 10:45 a.m. this morning, which was high, said one poll worker, noting that in past elections, 128 people would come out for an entire election day.

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For more election coverage, see tomorrow's editions of The Eagle-Tribune.