South Point School District precincts experienced record-setting numbers this morning at the polls.

Tuesday, March 07, 2000

South Point School District precincts experienced record-setting numbers this morning at the polls.

But those might be the only precincts with high turnouts during today’s primary.

"It’s been light as usual," poll worker John Robbins said from his post at the Coal Grove Village Hall. "It’s usually light on primary elections. Traditionally, primary elections are lighter than the regular ones, which is not the way it should be.

"Everybody should be turning out."

Unlike other countries, Americans fought for and won the right to choose their political leaders, Robbins said.

"A lot of countries don’t have a choice," he said. "Here, voting should be something we should be real proud to do."

Not very many Lawrence Countians seemed to be exercising that right this morning, however.

Ironton’s courthouse precinct got off to a slow start today, with only eight voters by 9 a.m., poll worker Dorothy Richards reported.

"It’s very slow so far today," Mrs. Richards said. "We haven’t been doing well at all, as far as numbers go."

Including herself and the three other workers at the precinct, only four other voters made their way to the polls in the opening three hours.

"The ones that usually come in of the morning haven’t been here yet today," she said, adding that they were hoping for a better showing this afternoon. "We’ve had four Democrats and four Republicans who have voted. I thought we would have a much bigger turnout, but it will probably pick up later."

Lawrence County Board of Elections assistant director Ella Lawless and director Mary Wipert were not surprised, however, at the light turnout in the early morning hours.

"We are reporting the possibility of 32 to 35 percent voter turnout, but we really don’t think it will get that high," Mrs. Wipert said.

Turnout was heavier in South Point, though – probably due to the levy issue, Ms. Lawless said.

"It has been a light turnout so far, except in South Point where the school levy is being decided," she said. "I don’t think it will be nearly as heavy as the state is predicting, though."

It usually takes a personal issue to get people out to the polls on Election Day, Robbins said.

And South Point School District residents have that personal incentive.

On today’s ballot, South Point area residents are being asked to approve a 4.84-mill property tax levy to provide a local contribution to state funding to build a new high school and consolidated elementary school, as well as renovate the current high school and turn it into a middle school.

By 9 a.m., about 86 voters showed up to cast their votes in precincts four and five at the South Point Middle School.

"Everybody’s turned out for the school issue," said Marjorie Geer, South Point Precinct five poll worker. "It’s more than usual for a primary. If we’ve had this many so far, as soon as lunchtime gets here and after work, we’ll be packed. We usually triple the amount of voters in the evening. That’s why we stay open until 7:30 p.m."