MANSFIELD — Richland County had the state’s second-highest voting turnout by percentage in Ohio in the May 5 primary election cycle.
Richland County Board of Elections Director Matt Finfgeld said Thursday that 30.15 percent of the county’s eligible voters cast ballots during the election cycle, likely driven by a countywide issue on commercial wind/solar projects and three school tax issues on the ballot.
The only county among Ohio’s 88 counties that topped Richland was Putnam County in northwest Ohio with a total population of about 34,000 residents. In that county, 34.25 percent of the county’s 23,532 registered voters participated — 8,059.
County totals
Here are voting percentage totals from the May primary election across north central Ohio:
Richland — 30.15 percent
Ashland — 23.11 percent
Knox — 26.01 percent
Crawford — 20.37 percent
Morrow — 24.88 percent
Huron — 21.9 percent
In Richland County, 23,371 of 77,511 registered voters cast ballots, according to final, unofficial totals from the county board of elections.
Finfgeld said townships had higher overall turnout and that levies in Madison, Lexington and Ontario “definitely increased voter participation.”
“Lexington precincts had the highest turnout, with Heartland Church serving as the busiest polling location,” he said.
Finfgeld said precincts in Mansfield had the lowest voter turnout.
He said election night ran smoothly in the county with final totals reported on the bipartisan board website just before 10 p.m.
“Thank you to all the poll workers for their service to the voters of Richland County and for helping make this election such a success,” Finfgeld said.
Early-voting turnout made Finfgeld more optimistic about Richland County participation in Tuesday’s primary election.
He said Monday that he anticipated 25 to 30 percent of registered voters would participate.
As of Monday morning, around 5,500 voters had already cast ballots either in-person at the board office during the past month of early voting or by absentee mail ballots, he said.
That’s about 7 percent of all registered voters in the county.
That’s up from 3,100 early votes in May 2022, the most recent gubernatorial primary. In that election cycle, about 24.4 percent of total registered voters cast ballots. Finfgeld said the county only had around 3,700 early votes in 2024, during a presidential primary election cycle.
“The popularity of early voting has definitely increased,” Finfgeld said. “People have found out how convenient it is.”
Richland County commissioners on Thursday morning thanked all voters for participating.
“We want to thank all the voters for coming out and voting. Obviously, we had some issues that brought the people out. We’re very proud that we we ranked No. 2, but we’re always shooting for No. 1,” Commissioner Darrell Banks said.
Commissioner Tony Vero said it was a good turnout.
“Obviously, we want it to be more, and we’ll continue to strive for that. But anytime your community is engaged, whatever side of the fence you are on, that is a good thing.
“So we’re pleased to hear that and we’ll keep looking to do even better,” Vero said.
