Voters talk about issues driving them to the polls

But it started out busy, said Price, with almost two dozen residents lined up to vote before the polling place opened at 6:30 a.m.

Price said of all the local races and state issues, Ohio Issue 2 appears to be the most discussed topic, he said.

“I hear people talking about it here and I think it’s drawing some people into vote,” said Price.

UPDATED 3 p.m.

Voting was brisk at Hopewell Junior School in West Chester Twp. Tuesday afternoon with more than 400 votes cast in the precinct with about 2,400 registered voters.

“We’re busier than we thought,” Precinct Captain Bob Riebel said. “A little bit ago we had 395 people which is better than the normal turnout for an off year election.”

Voters here are picking new school board members and all three township trustee seats are open.

Billy Morath, a life long township resident, said Issue 2, the prescription drug question and the crowded trustee races brought him out. He said he supports Ann Becker and incumbents Lee Wong and Mark Welch.

The trustees I think are doing a good job,” he said.

In Liberty Twp. at Wyandot Elementary School Presiding Precinct Judge Sandy Honsa-Schulz said there had been a steady stream of voters all day. They were at just over 300 votes cast in a precinct with a little over 2,800 registered voters.

“For a smaller election I think it was (a good turnout) yes,” she said.

INITIAL REPORT

Election Day in Butler County got off to a semi-soggy start, with voting turnout a bit down as a result.

At Fairfield Fire Station, 6540 Dixie Highway, location supervisor Tim Harmon said about 30 people had shown up to vote by around 8:50 a.m.

“It’s as expected for an off-year election, said Harmon, who was working his 17th election. “We had four people at the door when we opened (at 6:30 a.m.) and that’s our last rush of the day.”

Things picked up a bit in the 45 minutes or so that followed, with another eight residents casting ballots.

Among them was Colleen Madewell, a Fairfield resident of 6 years, who said Issue 2 was her main impetus for turning out to the polls today.

MORE: Confused on Issue 2? You’re not alone

“I don’t think it should be passed,” she said. “I don’t need to pay anybody else’s attorney fees. To say that we’ll pay their attorney fees is an open invitation. (It’s like saying) ‘Go ahead, do whatever you want to do. We’ll pay for it.’

“We don’t have to pay for it. We don’t have any skin in the game.”

Charles Detmering, a Fairfield resident for 20 years, said what drove him to the polls was his right to vote.

“If you don’t vote, then the country might go in the wrong direction,” Detmering said.

ELECTION 2017: Learn more about the candidates running for Fairfield City Council

Adam Smith , a Fairfield resident of 14 years, said he was spurred to vote by “mostly the issues” including the Butler County Children Services levy.

“Basically, I don’t want changes to the local statutes and stuff like that,” Smith said.