Mercer, Auglaize Elections Directors Report Smooth Election Day, Turnout Above 60%

CELINA, Ohio (WCSM) — More than 60% of registered voters cast ballots in both Mercer and Auglaize counties in Tuesday’s general election, according to unofficial results. Elections directors in both counties said voting went smoothly and credited poll workers and staff.

Mercer County

Mercer County Board of Elections Director Kristi Rable said turnout was 62.82% in the unofficial canvass. All seven polling locations operated smoothly, she said, and the county reported its results shortly after 9:30 p.m.

Rable said the county recruited many new poll workers for the election. “We just couldn’t be prouder of how Mercer County does elections,” she said.

The Mercer County Board of Elections will meet Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. for its official canvass, which Rable said will finalize the county’s results.

Auglaize County

The Auglaize County Board of Elections counted 19,407 ballots out of 31,961 registered voters, for an unofficial turnout of 60.72%. All 42 precincts reported. The count included 12,501 ballots cast on Election Day, 4,957 absentee ballots cast in person and 1,949 absentee ballots returned by mail.

Auglaize County Board of Elections Director Mark Huber said the county encountered a few minor issues, which polling location managers and elections staff handled as they came up. He thanked voters for taking part and praised the people who kept polling locations running throughout the day.