Turnout Light at Polls in Plum and Oakmont

With eight hours of voting in, turnout has been light so far, according those working the polls in Oakmont and Plum.

"Let's get some dry weather, huh," Plum resident Bob Ford, a retired teacher, told a neighbor as he and his wife, Philomena, cast their ballots at the polls at Regency Park Elementary School in Plum.

"It's every person's duty (to vote)," Philomena Ford said. "It's not that big an election but people need your vote."

As of 11 a.m., those at Tenth Street Elementary School in Oakmont were saying they had heard the county average of voter turnout had been only about 50 people per polling location. They estimated turnout in Oakmont had been a little above that amount.

In Oakmont, Riverview School Board member Arlene Loeffler and Dolly Provenza, retired Riverview director of special education, stood outside in a drizzle discussing the importance of voting in the local elections, about the state budget cuts proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett and how education per pupil is cheaper than the cost of incarcerating criminals.

The two women expressed hope that maybe voters would show up after work, before the polls close at 8 p.m.

Allegheny County Council candidate Nick Futules was making the rounds in Oakmont this morning. However, Futules, who is currently on council, pretty much has this election sewn up as the only Democratic contender. He will face Plum resident Michael Dell in the fall general election.

The rain was light enough that most people didn't even bother using umbrellas. But it was enough, evidently, to keep the numbers low at the polls.