Polls closed Tuesday evening in Lorain County as election officials began the process of tallying results following a primary election marked by predictions of low voter participation. The absence of major national contests on the ballot was expected to keep turnout significantly lower compared to general elections.
Prior to Election Day, officials projected turnout could fall between 8 percent and 10 percent across the county's 223,085 registered voters. This contrasts sharply with the over 70 percent turnout seen in the November general election.
Early voting numbers also indicated reduced engagement. According to county figures, 7,869 residents cast ballots in person early, with another 2,782 requesting mail-in absentee ballots.
Board of Elections Chairman Paul Adams noted that local issues and candidates were expected to be the primary drivers for those who did participate. He cited Avon Lake, where school district bond and levy requests appeared on the ballot alongside a city levy renewal, as an area potentially seeing turnout reach 30 percent. Similar interest was anticipated in other cities with local ballot measures, such as Elyria. Adams stated that in such local election years, attention focuses on specific local issues and candidates.
Specific races drawing partisan interest included primaries for North Ridgeville City Council's at-large seats and a primary for Oberlin Municipal Court judge.
The primary election also saw a procedural shift, with the county Board of Elections using paper pollbooks instead of the electronic system. This change followed a directive from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose amid an investigation involving the use of an electronic pollbook tablet in another county. Board of Elections Vice Chair James Kramer emphasized accuracy over speed for pollworkers using the paper system.
Several precinct locations were adjusted for the May 6 election, including changes in Avon Lake, Elyria, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Columbia Township, and North Eaton Township.
Voters cast ballots between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Residents were directed to the county election board website to confirm polling locations www.voteloraincountyohio.gov.
The tally of Lorain County election results is underway following the closing of polls.
