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Low turnout is expected for the primary election
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County Board of Elections’ director says she’s probably too optimistic predicting 25 percent of eligible voters will cast ballots in the primary.
“I’m very hopeful we’ll get to that number, but early voting has been pretty slow, and I don’t expect a big turnout,” said Director Joyce Kale-Pesta.
What is driving turnout, but not much of it so far, is the South Range school levy and Youngstown City Council Democratic primaries in the 5th and 7th wards, she said.
About two-thirds of eligible voters in the county don’t have a primary. There are only citywide races in Youngstown and Struthers as well as the South Range school levy and a Craig Beach village levy.
Less than a month ago, Kale-Pesta expected turnout to be 28 percent for Tuesday’s primary. But with about 2,000 early voters, she reduced the number.
About 3,000 people voted early in Mahoning County in the 2013 primary election.
Kale-Pesta predicted 25 percent turnout for that primary. Turnout was 17 percent.
It was even worse in 2009 with 16.2 percent turnout for the primary election. Turnout for the 2011 primary was 25.2 percent.
Those who want to vote in person at county boards of elections, can do so from 1 to 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.
The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Low turnout is also expected in Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Trumbull County elections Director Jodi F. Dibble predicts turnout for this primary at 15 percent to 20 percent.
“I don’t think we’ll make 20 percent; that’s probably too high,” she said.
About 1,500 early votes are in.
Of interest on the ballot is a Niles mayoral Democratic primary and a Lakeview school bond issue, Dibble said.
About two-thirds of voters in the county can vote in the primary.
Trumbull election officials predicted 12 percent turnout in 2013. Turnout was 15.9 percent.
Turnout in the 2009 primary was 16.2 percent and 25.2 percent in the 2011 primary.
Though there’s a countywide 1-percent sales-tax renewal on the primary ballot, Columbiana County elections Director Adam Booth is predicting 15 percent turnout there.
“We’ll struggle to hit 15 percent even with the county sales tax,” he said. “It’s not drawing any major interest.”
The only competitive races on the ballot in Columbiana County are Democratic primaries in East Liverpool for mayor and council at large, and a Republican primary for Lisbon mayor.
Fewer than 500 have voted early.
“It’s been kind of quiet,” Booth said. “If we get 15 percent, I’ll be surprised. If we get 20 percent, I’ll be shocked.”
Turnout in the 2013 primary was 13.9 percent. Booth had predicted 15 percent to 20 percent turnout.
It was even worse in the 2009 primary with 12.2 percent turnout. In the 2011 primary, turnout in Columbiana County was 19.7 percent.