Slow Turnout in Johnston For Primary Election

So far, voter turnout is dismal for today's primary election in Johnston.

It couldn't even be described as steady by poll workers by 12:30 p.m.

"It's been very, very slow," said Judy Briles, who was working at Johnston Precinct 1. "We have 2,300 voters in the book."

By 12:45 p.m. only 54 residents had voted at the precinct's poll at .

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Briles said the slow turnout was unusual.

"Last time, there were quite a few contested races, so it was a lot busier," she said.

Across town at the , new Johnston precinct 6, only 26 voters had cast a ballot.

"It will be a lot more exciting in November," Bernie Evans, who was working the location said. "A few other sites have found their way here and we had to tell them where to go."

Mary Brown Mehalovich, another precinct 6 worker, said there were more children attending storytime at the library than there were parents voting.

"Everyone has been congenial though," she said of voters coming to the wrong polling location.

Polls for the primary election, which includes where incumbent Erik Helland is facing Jake Highfill, will stay open until 9 p.m.