Election officials expect low Valley voter turnout

YOUNGSTOWN — Pointing to few exciting races on the ballot, election officials in the Mahoning Valley say they expect low voter turnout for this election — likely the poorest for a gubernatorial year in memory.

“I don’t see anything really driving turnout,” said Joyce Kale-Pesta, director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections. “The people who always vote will vote,” and many who aren’t regular voters won’t cast ballots.

Adam Booth, director of the Columbiana County Board of Elections, said the governor’s race between incumbent Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, and Democrat Ed FitzGerald isn’t helping turnout.

“There’s a drop-off

because of the top of the ticket with the governor having a comfortable” lead, Booth said. “People aren’t as engaged because the top of the ticket for the Democrats isn’t competitive.”

Jodi F. Dibble, Trumbull County Board of Elections’ deputy director, said: “Nothing is driving voters.”

Turnout in Mahoning County will be 40 percent to 42 percent, Kale-Pesta said.

“That’s probably high,” she added.

In Trumbull, Dibble predicts 40 percent turnout, and Booth expects turnout of 43 percent in Columbiana County.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com