It was a slow day at most polling places across the Bradford area for Tuesday’s elections, as of the early evening. Poll workers in and around the Bradford area noted that the day went by slowly, as voters trickled in.

“I am hoping we get a few more people after work but right now we have only had 17 people so far,” said Bernice Baker, election judge at Bradford City 5th Ward, located at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. “Our polling place is generally low during the primaries — if we make it to 100 voters today, it would be a miracle.”

Baker strives to help voters understand the importance of voting in primary and local elections.

“It’s a real problem — trying to figure out how to get the message out there that we need poll workers and voters to turn out,” said Baker. “But it is hard to drum up interest when there are so many bare spots for both Democrats and Republicans.”

She wants to encourage others to get out and vote, but she stresses the importance of doing one’s due diligence beforehand.

“There has to be more input from the people but definitely get informed before you cast your vote,” said Baker. “Just voting to vote doesn’t help.”

Turnout was also slim at the Derrick City Fire Hall, where Foster Township’s District 1 polling place was set up. Tuesday’s crickets at the polls were in stark contrast to the most recent presidential election, when the polling place had its highest turnout ever of 87 percent.

“We have only had 53 votes so far and it’s 5 p.m. now,” said John Watson, judge of elections for Foster Township District 1. “We only have a few hours left so we will be lucky to break 100.”

In his 15 years of serving as an election judge, this is one of the lowest turnouts he has ever seen.

“It will probably also be quiet in the fall because that is another primary,” said Watson.

He noted that one of the reasons for the low turnout was because there were more mail-in ballots registered for this election. Lack of voter enthusiasm is also to blame, he said.

“There are a lot of people on the ballet nobody knows and so they don’t feel like they need to vote,” said Watson. “I try to encourage people to realize that all elections are important and their voice matters.”

In Bradford Township, six-year poll worker Debbora Fay said, “It’s been somewhat slower than usual. We’ve had 160, with an hour and a half to go,” at the Lions Club in West Branch.  She said primary numbers there are usually closer to about 250 voters.

For long-time poll workers like Judy and Clark Johnson, the low turnout is nothing new.

“People just don’t come out as much for these local elections,” said Judy. “Which is a shame, really.”

On Tuesday, the couple were serving at Emery Towers, Bradford City First Ward.

Clark wishes that more people would take a moment to remember that voting wasn’t always as simple as showing up and casting your ballot. He believes more people would remember to vote in every election if they reflected on the history of suffrage in the United States.

“Voting is very important because there was a time when people had to fight for it so it seems a shame not to come out and exercise your right to vote,” said Clark.

Fellow poll worker Jim Zannelli agreed.

“People have died for us all to be able to vote,” said Zannelli. “It is an important part of being a good citizen to let your voice be heard.”