In a race that likely played a significant role in who would become the future Butler County commissioners, voter turnout Tuesday was quite sad — but not surprising.

Jade Bowers, assistant director of the Butler County Bureau of Elections, told the Butler Eagle on Wednesday that total voter turnout came in at a not-so-impressive 22.37%.

This, she said, was slightly lower than 2021’s average of 29%. That’s average for a primary election, she said.

Of the mail-in ballots requested, 69% were returned to the bureau. According to Bowers, 11,527 mail-in ballots were requested and 7,979 ballots were returned.

She reported that some people will request a ballot and not return it, but typically, these are returned at a rate of 70 to 80%.

Chantell McCurdy, director of the elections bureau, said Tuesday that poll workers at the county’s precincts were reporting low turnout. She, like Bowers, said she wasn’t surprised.

With more than 20 contested races across the county, including races in seven school districts, a common pleas judge race and a district magistrate judge race, it was disappointing to see such a low turnout.

In regards to the commissioner race, Republican voters had a chance to vote for candidates who will proceed to the November ballot. Five people — current commissioners Leslie Osche and Kim Geyer; Ryan Covert, a business owner from Chicora; Joseph King, a farmer and auto shop owner from Valencia; and Zachary Scherer, an automotive sales consultant from Chicora, competed for the party’s nominations.

Unofficial results on Tuesday evening showed Osche received 13,606 votes, Geyer received 11,046 votes, Covert received 4,289, Scherer received 3,661 and King received 3,160.

On the Democratic ballot, only Commissioner Kevin Boozel’s name appeared.

He, Osche and Geyer will appear on the ballot in the general election in November. In the primary, up to two Republican candidates and two Democratic candidates are eligible to qualify for the November election.

Though this doesn’t seal the deal for the commissioners race — it sets these three up to appear on the November ballot, where three seats are open.

The bureau of elections also reported a smooth day of operations, which we were happy to hear.

Next time though, let’s show up in higher numbers.

— TL