Voter turnouts for Tuesday’s Primary Election proved to be sparse in Salem, with poll workers for Ward A of Salem’s second precinct reporting only 63 residents of a possible 1,102 had come to City Council Chambers for in-person voting by 1:30 p.m. However, they said that figure did not include any residents who took advantage of in-person early voting or voted by absentee ballot, and that typically they see a surge of voters in the evening as work days end. Shown, City Councilman Jim Harrington, left, receives his ballot from poll workers Cathy Johnson, center, and Lynne Peterson, right. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

LISBON — Columbiana County Board of Elections Director Kim Fusco was spot on with her prediction for voter turnout — she said 20% — the total Tuesday night was 20.47%, with 13,029 total ballots cast.

Voters said yes to all local liquor options, no to additional tax levies in St. Clair and Wayne townships and no to a .5% income tax increase in Leetonia.

“Everything went pretty smooth,” Fusco said.

She reported no issues at the polling places and noted that all the poll workers were told about Saltwell Road being blocked off by the post office in Lisbon. Some of the poll workers and presiding judges for the precincts already experienced having to use state Route 164 to access Saltwell Road on Monday when they came to pick up their materials for the election.

The elections office is located on Dickey Drive, off of Saltwell Road. Saltwell Road remains closed from state Route 45 to Dickey Drive for replacement of a collapsed sewer line. Poll workers didn’t appear to have an issue getting there considering the unofficial final election results with all 73 precincts came out at 9:12 p.m. Tuesday.

When it comes to holding elections, Fusco said if something does go wrong, they’re prepared to handle it, quipping “we have a backup plan for the backup plan.”

She had nothing but praise for the poll workers and especially for the clerks in the office. The team includes Fusco, Deputy Director Niki Wilkinson and the four staff members, Deb Blackhurst,

Jonna Call, Angelica Scarabino and Chad Bettis. The makeup is three Democrats and three Republicans. The board is made up of two Republicans and two Democrats also.

“I have a good crew. They’re very well-trained and pay attention to detail,” Fusco said, adding they’re “very competent to help provide for fast, fair and free elections.”

Republican county officeholders Commissioner Mike Halleck, Auditor Nancy Gause Milliken and Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Baronzzi were unopposed for their party nominations and will be unopposed in November since no Democrats filed for commissioner, auditor or Probate/Juvenile Court judge.

Republican 79th state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, New Waterford and her Democratic opponent, Bob Guy, East Liverpool, were unopposed for their party nominations and will face off in November, with Blasdel seeking re-election.

In Wayne Township, an additional 3-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy to generate $78,781 annually lost with 97 no votes and 58 yes votes. Leetonia’s income tax increase lost with 192 no votes and 113 yes votes. St. Clair Township’s additional, continuous 3-mill levy for police to generate $734,327 annually lost with 761 no votes and 455 yes votes. Butler Township’s 0.75-mill, five-year fire levy renewal overwhelmingly passed with 502 yes votes and 116 no votes.

Local liquor options all passed by wide margins, including: Alliance Duke and Duchess C-2 (Monday through Friday sales), 118 yes votes to 57 no votes, and D-2 (Sunday sales) 110 yes votes to 64 no votes, both in Knox Township Northwest; Gina’s Drive Thru (Sunday sales) in East Liverpool 1-B, 58 yes votes to 28 no votes; Rumpled Queen, (Sunday sales), Salem 2-A, 102 yes votes to 28 no votes; and Aldi’s Inc., dba Calcutta Aldi’s 23 (Monday through Friday sales, 218 yes votes to 111 no votes, and (Sunday sales),211 yes votes to 118 no votes, both St. Clair Township Calcutta.