The last time the Democrats controlled the Butler County Courthouse, gasoline was selling at pumps for $1.10 a gallon.

It was 1995, the year Cranberry Township minister Richard Rossi argued at his trial that a virtual twin brutally beat his wife, and Michael Ricksgers of Buffalo Township was sentenced to life in prison despite claims he killed his wife while he slept.

Twelve years later, Republicans have established a stranglehold on the county commissioners.

On Tuesday, Election Day, the county's GOPgets another chance to demonstrate its dominance, while Democrats have another shot at tipping the balance of power back toward their side.

But the commissioners' race is not all that's at stake at the polls. Up this year are races for municipal offices such as township supervisor and borough council as well as school board seats.

Voters also will elect Butler County's chief law enforcement officer, the district attorney, and five judges on the state's appellate courts. They also will decide if Common Pleas Court Judge Marilyn Horan deserves another 10-year term.

Most of buzz leading up to Tuesday, however, has been on the commissioners' race, according to county politicos.

"There's a lot of talk about the commissioners,"said Art Rauschenberger, chairman of the county Republican committee. "And I see more yard signs for the candidates — on both sides — than in past years."

"I think the commissioners' race is going to be a good one,"said Dave Mariotti, chairman of the county Democratic committee. "We have good candidates, and they've worked hard."

Rauschenberger is confident — not overconfident.

"We like our chances but there's always that chance the Democrats could win,"he said. "And this time, with the write-in candidates, anything can happen."

Voters on Tuesday can cast ballots for two of four commissioner candidates — Republicans James Kennedy and Dale Pinkerton and Democrats Jim Lokhaiser and Linda Volaric — whose names will appear on touch-screen machines.

But this year, Democrat Jack Beiler and Republican Mark Manuppelli are waging vigorous campaigns seeking write-in votes from the county's electorate.

Beiler and Manuppelli both ran strong in the primary and finished third and fourth, respectively, in the balloting for their party's nominations.

What also makes this year's election unusual is that only one incumbent — Kennedy — is running.

Commissioner Scott Lowe failed to win nomination in the GOPprimary, and Democrat Commissioner Glenn Anderson did not seek re-election.

Like many elections, voter turnout could be the deciding factor.

Regis Young, director of the county's election office, is not predicting a great rush to the polls.

"It's been quiet," he said. "It's your typical off-year election."

Turnout in the primary was 27.6 percent, with Republicans coming out in slightly higher numbers than Democrats.

But Young sees hope for a more energized electorate than in the primary. The election office has received more absentee ballots now than in the spring.

He also acknowledged the commissioners' race, with four ballot candidates and two write-in hopefuls, could boost voter response.

Among the many municipal races, Rauschenberger said, contests for township supervisors in Center and Cranberry townships have spurred a lot of attention.

And there are other races of note.

Republican nominee Richard A. Goldinger and District Attorney Randa Clark, winner of the Democratic nod by write-in, are vying for the DA's post.

Also on the ballot are contested races for county treasurer and register of wills.

"You know, this is really the most important election of them all,"Young said. "This is the election for all your local offices."

Additionally, voters will select from four candidates seeking two open seats on the state Supreme Court, and six candidates running for three open seats on the state Superior Court.

A record number 113,481 voters in the county are registered to vote in the primary, according to the county's election bureau. Republicans account for 58,377, or 51.3 percent, of the registration.

There are 42,377 registered Democrats, representing 37.3 of voters rolls. The remaining voters are identified as Independents, affiliated with a third party, or not tied to any party.

POLLS OPEN

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Polls for Tuesday's election will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

First-time voters and voters casting ballots at new voting districts are reminded they will have to present a valid form of identification.

Among acceptable forms of identification are a valid driver's license, employee ID card, an ID card issued by any other state agency, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check.

If you have questions about voting, call the Butler County Bureau of Elections at 724-284-5308.