Avon, Avon Lake Had Lowest, Highest Voter Turnout for May 7 Election

Avon and Avon Lake provided polar opposite turnouts in last week’s Primary Election May 7. Avon Lake’s hotly contested Issue 10, a 10-year 8.28-mill levy resulted in the highest percentage of voters in Lorain County for the election.

Avon, which had two smaller levies on the ballot, had the lowest voter turnout in the county, according the Board of Elections’ canvass report. 

Electors in both cities, as well as the county, also voted on three countywide issues.

In Avon Lake, 6150 of the 17,507 registered voters cast ballots for a 35.13 voter turnout percentage.

In Avon, 1,034 of the registered 14854 voters came out for a 6.96 percentage rate. (All figures are still uncertified by the Lorain County Board of Elections.)

Countywide, 13.37 percentage of registered voters came out to vote.

Paul Adams, director of the Lorain County Board of Elections said typically rates are lower in Primary Elections and significantly lower where there are only county—and no local issues—on the ballot.

There were no individual races on either Avon and Avon Lake’s ballot.

 “It’s an off election year; there’s no candidates on the ballot and that makes a difference,” Adams said. 

for the Parks and Service departments both earned more than 70 percent support.

“Renewals usually don’t result in a big turnout,” Adams said.

Avon Lake’s contentious school levy, which passed after receiving 52 percent approval, was considered a significant tax increase for property owners and generated significant discussion before election day.

Turnout not a record

Adams said Avon’s turnout was not the lowest in the county’s history.

In May 2007 Avon had a school renewal on the ballot which resulted in a high voter turnout.

“Avon had a turnout of 16.63 percent,” Adams said of the ballot, which also included three countywide replacement issues.

“Avon Lake only had the tree countywide issues, nothing local and the turnout was 4.06 percent,” Adams said. "You could say they switched places from this election."

In the 2005 Primary, both cities voted on municipal court judge that included seven candidates, saw a significantly higher-than-average turnout. Avon’s precincts reported turnout of between 19 and 29 percent while Avon Lake said numerous precincts reporting more than 40 percent turnout.

Adams said that he expected the 2016 presidential election would result in the highest-ever turnout.

“The highest turnout in recent history was 2008 General Election with a 72.51 percent countywide turnout, but I expect 2016 will match or surpass the record,” Adams said.