Board of elections: Voter turnout extremely low

Turnout for the primary election that will decide the Republican candidate for Hillsboro mayor is low, according to poll workers and the Highland County Board of Elections, with just a few hours until the polls close.

At Hillsboro precincts 28 and 29, located at the Highland County Senior Center, just over 30 people each had voted since the polls opened at 6:30 a.m.

Steve Witham, Election Administrator with the Highland County Board of Elections, said that flooding and rainy weather did not affect any polling places. However, the turnout for Tuesday's primary is low. 

Witham said that there are 4,709 voters who are eligible to vote in this election. Only an estimated 250-300 have cast votes so far. 

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, who was scheduled to make appearances at the boards of election in Highland and Fayette counties on Tuesday, cancelled the trip, Witham said, but they were not given a reason as to why. 

Republican voters in Hillsboro are choosing their candidate for the mayor's race between Rod Daniels, Drew Hastings and Terry Mikkelsen. The winner will face Independent candidate John Levo in the November general election. 

A precinct in Brush Creek, near Sinking Spring, is also open for the Adams County/Ohio Valley School Distrct, which has a 9.4 mill levy on the ballot. 

Overall, Witham said that Tuesday has been a smooth voting day, with few problems. The polls close at 7:30 p.m., and results are expected within the hour.