Apr 23, 2024 By Mike Jones 3 min read

Turnout in the region is expected to be relatively light during today’s primary election due to few competitive races on the ballot.

Still, the area’s elections directors are imploring voters to get out to the polls or return their mail-in ballots to the local elections offices before they close at 8 p.m.

“People should still come out,” Fayette County Elections Director MaryBeth Kuznik said. “This is like the opening rounds of a tournament. It all leads up to the big day in November.”

Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican president Donald Trump have locked up their respective party’s nominations, which Kuznik and other elections directors think could hurt turnout today.

“I don’t have a specific number (but) I don’t think it will be anywhere near what we have in a normal presidential primary. Unfortunately, some people focus on the presidential race only, and we know who the two nominees will be,” Kuznik said. “It’s likely some people will stay home. We wish they would come out. We wish they would come out every time.”

There are a couple local races that are up for grabs, but not many.

Democrats in the 14th Congressional District – which includes all of Fayette, Greene and Washington counties and parts of Westmoreland – will choose between Christopher Dziados of South Strabane and Kenneth Bach of South Huntington. The winner will then challenge three-term Republican Congressman Guy Reschenthaler in the general election this fall.

Republicans in the 50th state House District – which includes all of Greene County and parts of Washington County – will choose between incumbent Rep. Bud Cook and challenger Stephanie Waggett.

Greene County Elections Director Joe Lemley suspects that race could drive a larger turnout for people living in the district.

“Because of the presidential situation kind of being set up already, we don’t expect a lot (of turnout),” Lemley said. “However, the race for the 50th (state House) will be big for us. That’s where we expect the turnout to be.”

Meanwhile, Democrats will have three competitive statewide row offices to choose from – treasurer, auditor general and attorney general – while Republicans will pick their candidate to run for attorney general in the fall, while also choosing the delegates to attend the Republican National Convention in July.

In Washington County Elections Director is expecting average turnout for the primary, which has hovered around 33% in 2020 and 2022.

“There really aren’t any (competitive races),” Melanie Ostrander said, adding that the weather forecast for today shows temperatures will be in the mid 60s, which could help to boost turnout a little bit. “Weather could play a factor. It all depends on the weather, and (Tuesday) looks pretty good.”

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and mail-in ballots must be returned to the individual voter’s local elections office no later than 8 p.m.

MORE INFO

Mail-in ballots — Sent Out — Returned

Fayette County* — 7,591 — 5,532

Washington Co.* — 14,147 — 11,058

Greene County** — 3,500 — 1,600

*As of Monday morning

** Estimated totals