County reports light turnout for runoff
Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 20, 2006
Ruby Shambray, Lynn May and Eloise Shirley had very little to do during Tuesday's Republican runoff election in Butler County.
For most of the day, the trio - poll workers at the New Armory Voting Precinct - did their best to fight off boredom.
That, and the heat.
“It's stifling,” said May. “In June it wasn't as bad. The temperature was in the 80s.”
Also, small voter turnout made for a long Tuesday. At 1 p.m., the New Armory has seen a grand total of 75 voters.
“In June it was steady throughout the day,” said Shambray, referring to June's primary elections. Because many of the races were local, including elections for sheriff, probate judge and coroner, voters took an active interest in the outcome.
Tuesday's election held little luster for voters.
Butler County Probate Judge Steve Norman, who predicted a large turnout, was surprised by the lack of voters. Norman expected Greenville native Clay Crenshaw, running against Judge Sam Welch for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3, could possibly bring out a good number of voters. However, that wasn't the case.
While voter turnout was small inside the city, voters stayed away from the polls in the county.
“It's real light,” said Norman at 3 p.m. “I haven't visited any of the polling places inside the city. It's light and I think it's going to stay that way.”
Also on the ballot, Luther Strange faced George Wallace, Jr. for Lt. Governor; Wes Allen faced Samantha Shaw for State Auditor; John Amari faced Perry O. Hooper, Jr. for Public Service Commission, Place 2; and Terri Willingham Thomas faced Phillip Wood for Court of Civil Appeals, Place 3.
Complete results of the runoff elections will be available in Saturday's edition of The Advocate.