YOUNGSTOWN — Directors of boards of election in Mahoning and Trumbull counties say they expect about one out of every four registered voters to cast a ballot in the upcoming general election.

“I’m hoping to get 25 percent” turnout, said Joyce Kale-Pesta, Mahoning’s elections director. “There’s not a lot of interest in the county in this election. It’s always disappointing to expect low turnout. We spend all year working to get people to vote and they don’t do it. Local elections impact people more than the state and federal elections. But people don’t come out for them.”

Stephanie Penrose, Trumbull’s elections director, said: “School boards and trustees don’t attract much interest. A lot of people don’t come out for local races and that’s what really affects us. Let’s face it, local races and local tax issues impact us the most. I wish everybody came out for every election.”

Penrose predicted turnout in her county for the Nov. 5 election to be 25 percent to 30 percent.

In the May 7 primary, turnout in Trumbull County was 18.39 percent. It was even worse in Mahoning: 10.77 percent.

There aren’t many candidate races or issues attracting voters’ attention on this ballot, Kale-Pesta and Penrose said.

There are a few races for township trustees and for Youngstown Municipal Court judge as well as library tax issues in both counties and a Trumbull County senior citizens renewal issue that could bring voters out, they said.

Penrose said: “I don’t see a lot of interest in this election so far. I hope that changes.”

“It’s very sad,” Kale-Pesta said. “People don’t seem to be motivated to vote.”

This is expected to be the worst turnout for a general election in the two counties since 2013 — the last time there wasn’t a statewide issue on the ballot in an odd-numbered year.

Not having a statewide issue this year will keep voters away, Kale-Pesta and Penrose said.

Meanwhile, county elections boards will be open late Monday to allow people to register to vote. The Mahoning board is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the Trumbull board is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s the last day to register for the Nov. 5 general election.

To register in person, you need either your driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

The Mahoning County Board of Elections is in Oakhill Renaissance Place, 345 Oak Hill Ave. in Youngstown. Trumbull’s board is at 2947 Youngstown Road SE in Warren.

Also, you can register online at voteohio.gov — the Ohio secretary of state’s website — by Monday.

Early voting starts Tuesday. Election boards can process votes by mail starting that day.

Early in-person voting at board of elections offices is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, from Oct. 15 to 18 (boards are closed Oct. 14 for Columbus Day), and from Oct. 21 to 25.

The hours are extended to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.

Early voting is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2, the Saturday before the election; 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 3, the Sunday before the election; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 4, the Monday before the primary.

The polls in Ohio are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com