More than 40,000 registered voters are in Lawrence County, but in a heated election season, officials are having a tough time predicting how many will cast their votes.

Of the county's 42,965 registered voters, Lawrence County Board of Elections Director Mary Wipert said she predicted 20,624 voters to turn out. However, Wipert said, that estimation, which she had to make to the Secretary of State's office, is just her best guess.

&#8220I do not know. I can't try to predict it. I usually think to myself ‘Just take a guess,' because there's no way for us to predict it. There's no way,” Wipert said. &#8220Elections aren't like they used to be.”

Wipert suspected that the actual count could be higher than her predictions, because Wipert said she'd already received nearly 4,000 absentee ballots, more than 1,000 in Ironton alone.

Although Wipert may not be sure of the numbers yet, some residents are positive that they'll be headed to the polls today Š even if they don't know which way they'll vote.

Ironton resident Kim Arbaugh said that she usually makes it to the polls, though it depends on the issues. This year, the municipal judge race is the one that will bring her out.

&#8220I just want Collins back in there,” Arbaugh said.

Although she has a clear favorite for the judge's seat, one of the issues that she is still deliberating is the tax levy to fund three new schools for Ironton.

&#8220To be honest, I think they need a new school, but that's just more tax dollars I have to pay,” Arbaugh said.

Fellow Irontonian Jana Parnell said she always makes it a point to vote, but one issue really had her attention.

&#8220I think our kids in town need a better chance for a good education,” Parnell said. &#8220I think the facilities we have were good in their day and time, but it's time to move ahead.”

Earlier in the day, Parnell had turned in an absentee ballot for her son, Jeffery, even though, as she admitted, they don't see eye-to-eye on every issue.

&#8220I want him to know it's important for him to vote,” Parnell said.

Voters will decide today on seats on municipal councils and township trustee and school boards.

Ironton voters will decide on two levies involving the schools and the floodwall system, and a $10 municipal fee, while Windsor Township residents decide on a 1-mill fire department levy.

All Ohio voters will also have five statewide issues on the ballot.