Election 2017: Polling places close, wait for results begins

Polling places across Ohio closed at 7:30 p.m.

Now, the wait begins for results.

GET LIVE ELECTION RESULTS HERE

Voters in the area hadn’t turned out in large numbers today, officials said earlier.

For those who did come out for the election, however, state issues appeared to be at the top of voters’ minds over local ballot measures.

Jan Kelly, director of Montgomery County Board of Elections, said when there are issues that are controversial and surrounded by heavy lobbying, that it tends to drive more voters to the polls.

Issue 2 — the Ohio Drug Price Relief Act — has been surrounded by heavy lobbying from both sides of the issue in the weeks leading up to elections.

Like in 2015 when there were issues like a marijuana legalization initiative there was a 40 percent turnout, verses 2013 there was only about a 23 percent turnout.

“We anticipate a turnout somewhere between those two numbers this year,” she said.

A lot of preparation goes into the day before elections, Kelly said. In Montgomery County, workers set up 2,142 voting machines at 185 polling locations on the day before. There are 1,660 people out working at the polls in the county.

“This is an exciting day for the board. It’s the culmination of all the hard work we do throughout the year,” Kelly said.

Brian Sleeth, Warren County Board of Elections director, said as of this afternoon that voter turnout remained low.

“We’re slow. Extremely slow and probably at about 20 percent turnout so far,” he said.

Greene County also reported low turnout that varied by polling stations.

Directors at Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Warren and Preble counties reported little problems with election equipment.

Julie Couch, a full-time employee with the Warren County Board of Elections, said a machine malfunctioned at a polling location at the Springboro/Clearcreek Fire Department on Ohio 741, but the issue was quickly fixed.

In Preble County, elections director Terri Hans said turnout was heavier at a Preble Shawnee school polling location. The school has a levy on the ballot, a large board of education race and a trustee race for voters to decide.

Ed Tritschler of Oakwood said state Issues 1 and 2 were the main reasons that drove him to vote this year at the St. Albert’s polling location.

Tritschler said he wasn’t persuaded by ads against the drug pricing ballot measure.

EARLIER:

Polls will be open for Tuesday’s election until 7:30pm.

Voters can find their polling location, check their registration here.

Voters planning to cast their ballot in-person on Election Day should remember to bring proper identification.

Voters guide: Your best local resource for Election 2017

Find information on races and candidates you care about, by using your location or browsing information on dozens of races and hundreds of candidates.

About the Author