Turnout seemed high this morning as voters took to the polls to vote in the first general election of the new century, precinct workers said.

Tuesday, November 07, 2000

Turnout seemed high this morning as voters took to the polls to vote in the first general election of the new century, precinct workers said.

Polling places became unusually busy when they opened at 6:30 a.m., probably because this election could be one of the closest in history and many issues are at stake, workers said.

Residents stood outside in the cool, damp air of the morning at many of the county’s precincts waiting for their chance to vote, workers said.

"The voter turnout has been very moderate," said Ethel Jackson, Ironton precinct 4-C worker. "We’ve had a good flow of people and it has been rather steady."

She said she hopes county residents exercise their right to vote.

"I hope people do get out and vote," she said. "It’s our right and if (people) don’t vote, why should they complain about the way the government is run."

Ironton voter Hershel Stambaugh said he believes the races for sheriff, county commission and president will go down to the wire.

"This election is going to be a close one," he said. "I can remember John Kennedy was a close one. And, I think the sheriff’s race is going to be pretty close. I’ve been voting for many years and this election is going to be close."

The Kennedy election in 1960 was close, winning by virtually one vote per precinct.

Public opinion polls suggest the race for 270 presidential electoral votes will be close, with more than a dozen states up for grabs.

Precinct workers said Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania – with a combined 66 electoral votes – could decide the race.

On the surface, both candidates for president have similarities. Gore, 52, educated at Harvard, the son of a senator, with eight years of service as vice president; Bush, 54, educated at Yale, the son of a president, with nearly six years as governor of Texas.

Their chief policy differences centered around money – how to spend or save trillions of dollars in extra tax receipts – but often the debate was framed in more pointedly personal terms: Republicans said Gore can’t be trusted; Democrats said Bush is not ready to be president.

Rob Steurgill of Pedro said voting for Democrats despite negative campaigns could be the answer to improving the economy.

"I’ve got to vote Democrat," he said. "I hunt, but I don’t necessarily agree with Gore’s plan on guns. (Democrats) do have the economy in a lot better shape."

Other voters say the picking the best candidate for a political office is the key to successful voting.

"The presidential race is going to be real close," Coal Grove resident Damien Carey said. "I vote the way I like to vote and that’s for who I think is the best for the job."

Stambaugh agrees and said voting for the best candidate for a political office is important.

"I vote for the best man," he said. "I hope everyone votes that way. Voting is our privilege and I hope people take advantage of it. It’s important for people to provide their input in government."