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ATTLEBORO - Voter turnout has been so low in today's city election that only nine people cast ballots in Precinct 4A between 10 and 11 a.m.

By 11:45, only 58 had gone to the polls in the precinct, and Precinct 4A is part of Ward 4 which has a competive school committee race. Some wards have no races.

Officials said turnout was low throughout the city despite the spectacular fall weather.

Former school committee member Jim Hanley said he was surprised Ward 1 in South Attleboro was slow even though there is a very active ward city council race there.

Ward 2 City Councilor George Ross, who is running unopposed, said he thought the lack of candidates on the ballot, including for mayor, may be the cause of the low turnout. "That may have put a damper on things," he said, noting that he has run unopposed in three straight elections.

Businessman John Brederson did announce a last-minute write-in campaign against Mayor Kevin Dumas, but the mayor has no opposition on the ballot. The mayor's race is usually what attracts most voters to the polls.

Many city councilors are also running unopposed.

"Overall, there isn't a lot of candidates," Ross said.

Ward 4 City Councilor Bill Bergevine, who is also unopposed, said he thought another factor in the low turnout was the lack of debates and candidate forums that draw attraction to the election.

The Attleboro Democratic City Committee organized one debate, but many of the traditional forums were not held this year.