Few voters head to Valley polls

By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Voter turnout during the early hours of today's primary election was, as predicted, very light.
Workers at boards of elections and polling places in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties reported few people stopping by to mark their ballots.
Michael V. Sciortino, director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, projected about a 25-percent voter turnout today.
"It will probably end up being less than that," Sciortino said.
At Youngstown's Precinct 3F, which votes at The Rayen School, only 11 voters showed up during the first two hours of activity, poll worker Rea Taiclet said.
That compares to about 100 people who voted there during the same time period in November's general election.
Youngstown voters are deciding the race for city council president and a citywide initiative to allow the city to buy electricity in bulk rates for its residents.
"I'm not anticipating a whole lot today," said Lois Gall, deputy director of the Columbiana County Board of Elections.
She said only a few communities have issues or political races to decide, and there's little controversy to fuel the turnout.
One of those is Salem, where voters are being asked to approve a 2-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy for the city schools.
Donna Dermotta, who was working Salem's Precinct 3A at the Memorial Building, said only 10 people had voted during the first two hours, and they appeared to be people who have children in the schools.
In Warren, where races include a Democratic primary for mayor, poll worker Donna Poniewasz said turnout has been extraordinarily light. There are no Republican primaries in the city.
Norma Williams, director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections, could not be reached to comment this morning, but has said she expected a low countywide turnout there.