Election directors in Mahoning and Trumbull counties hope to reach 10% turnout for Tuesday’s primary election, which has a statewide issue on the ballot that they say most people don’t know exists.

“I talk to people and they’re not aware there’s an election next week,” said Tom McCabe, director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections.

Stephanie Penrose, Trumbull County Board of Elections director, said: “I haven’t really heard anything about Issue 2. There’s been no advertising. I don’t think a lot of people know it’s on the ballot. For most people, it’s the only issue on the ballot for the primary election.”

Issue 2 commercials are on live television streaming services and online, said Sam Rossi, a spokesman for the campaign supporting the issue.

If approved by voters Tuesday, Issue 2 would permit Ohio to renew up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds — $250 million a year for 10 years — to assist local governments in funding infrastructure improvement projects.

The 10-year State Capital Improvement Program was first approved in 1987 by voters and renewed twice since then.

Since it began, the program has provided funding for more than 19,000 infrastructure projects in the state, including upgrades to roads and bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, stormwater and sanitary collection, and storage and treatment facilities.

Turnout in the two counties, as well as the state, in odd-year primaries is typically poor.

In 2023, it was 9.82% in Mahoning and 15.42% in Trumbull. In 2021, it was 13.99% in Mahoning and 8.87% in Trumbull and in 2019, it was 10.77% in Mahoning and 14.68% in Trumbull.

Before early voting started April 8, Penrose predicted turnout at 10% to 15% in Trumbull while McCabe expected turnout in Mahoning to be about 10% to 12%.

But with little interest in early voting, Penrose said, “We’ll be lucky to break 10%. Nothing is really driving turnout. Turnout will be really low.”

McCabe said he was “hopeful we can get to 10%. But we might be looking at 6-7%. It’s been very quiet.”

That means about 90% of those eligible won’t vote in this election.

The only partisan elections in Mahoning County are Democratic primaries in Youngstown for mayor and council president.

There are tax issues on the ballot for those living in Austintown, Craig Beach, Lowellville and the Poland school district, and four liquor options.

“Most of the levies are renewals and they don’t drive turnout,” McCabe said.

There are contested Democratic council races in Warren, Niles and Girard, as well as eight tax issues — including additional levies in Champion and Vienna — and one liquor option on the May 6 ballot in Trumbull County.

“There are a few places with levies and a few with candidates, but not many people are voting,” Penrose said. “I hope a bunch of people will show up on Election Day and prove me wrong.”

Early in-person voting is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Absentee ballots returned by the mail must be postmarked by Monday, the day before the primary, and have to arrive no later than May 10, four days after the primary, to be counted.

Those with absentee ballots can also return them to election boards by 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Trumbull office is at 2947 Youngstown Road SE, Warren.

The Mahoning office is at Oakhill Renaissance Place, 345 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown.

Polling locations are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.