WARREN — While not a lot of people showed up for the first day of early in-person voting in the Mahoning Valley, a number of those who did said they came out to do their civic duty — and to get it done.

“It’s quicker to do it this way than regular voting” at a polling location, Jim Smida of Champion, said. “I was driving by and no one was here so I thought it was a good time to do it.”

Smida voted in the Democratic primary, but said: “Personally, I don’t like any of them on the ballot.”

Glen Laraway of Niles said he voted at the Trumbull County Board of Elections on Wednesday, the first day of early voting, because “I’m kind of a busy guy. It gets crowded at my polling place. I can vote on my time and do it early.”

Laraway voted in the Republican primary. He said he did so primarily to support President Donald Trump and to vote for a candidate — who he didn’t name — in the 13th Congressional District race to beat U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland.

“Politics is the cesspool, and President Trump is right by saying, ‘It’s time to drain the swamp,'” Laraway said. “I support his administration. He’s doing exactly what he said he’d do. He’s getting it done.”

SLOW START

Stephanie Penrose, Trumbull County Board of Elections director, said the first day of early voting was “slower than expected. I expected it to be more steady and it hasn’t. It’s not been busy. The first day is more exciting because everyone wants to get their vote in. I hope people realize early voting started.”

With the primary moved to March 17 — it’s in early May except during presidential years — Penrose said: “We need to get the word out that it’s in March.”

The Mahoning County Board of Elections in Youngstown didn’t have too many early voters either, Thomas McCabe, its deputy director, said.

“Early voting has been slow,” he said. “There’s no line. We had two people at 8 o’clock (when early voting started). It’s kind of what we expected with a slow start.”

However, the phone rang constantly Wednesday at the board, he said.

That’s because the board chose to send out about 120,000 cards to the homes of registered voters with information about the primary election including requests for absentee ballots by mail, McCabe said.

“We had more than 200 people leave messages about absentee ballots,” he said.

Deanna Matthews of Vienna brought her dog, Milo, to the Trumbull board office when voting Wednesday.

“I’m voting on the first day so I can have it over and done with,” she said. “I like to get it done as soon as possible and avoid the lines at my polling location. I vote in every election. I never miss one no matter how small or big.”

But during the November general election, Matthews said she will stand in line to vote because “there’s a lot of excitement doing that during the presidential” race.

There was little to no waiting to vote at the board office, 2947 Youngstown Road SE.

Paul Gustovich of Niles said he doesn’t often vote early, particularly on the first day. But he had a special reason — it was also his 68th birthday.

“When can you vote on your birthday?” he said. “What did you do on your birthday? I went to vote.”

Gustovich, a Democrat, said, “I like the primary because that’s where you can vote for your man. They might not be there in the general election.”

He’s also not a fan of Trump.

“Politicians are supposed to represent us and not do whatever they want,” Gustovich said.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com

Early voting hours

Early in-person voting at boards of elections is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday, Monday to Feb. 28, and March 2 to 6.

The hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7, a Saturday.

It’s from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 9 to 13.

Early voting is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14, the Saturday before the primary; 1 to 5 p.m. March 15; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 16.

Polling locations in Ohio are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 17.