By Wayne Baker, Staff Writer DAYTON — Local and statewide voter turnout in Tuesday’s 2018 midterm elections surpassed previous midterms by a significant margin, but the numbers didn’t approach the turnout for the 2016 presidential election around the Miami Valley. Jan Kelly, Montgomery County Board of Elections director, said, “We were busy all day, answering phones, troubleshooting and getting all of our polling locations open and getting things put to rest.” Election workers dealt with 202,419 ballots that were cast in Montgomery County, according to unofficial results. MORE: Is Ohio a red state? Midterms may have changed state’s status as swing state The number of voters casting their ballots raised some eyes for political observers monitoring the election. Recommended for you Recommended for you Recommended for you Most read 1 Mom gets help at Trotwood McDonald’s after her daughter, 4 was shot 2 Arrest made in school Snapchat threat circulating nationwide 3 Crews called to shooting on Nicholas Road in Dayton Cedarville professor of political science Mark Caleb Smith said Tuesday’s turnout was high compared to other midterm elections, such as the 2014 election. Much like 2010 voting, he said, the 2018 turnout benefited from competitive races for governor, U.S. Senate and State Issue 1. “But the turnout in 2018 is higher and more robust than even 2010 results,” Smith said. “While the rates do not quite compare to a presidential election, as in 2016, they are still high for a midterm.” Smith cited two specific factors driving turnout this year. “First,… [Read full story]
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