SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Delaware’s primaries mark the last in the United States, where mail-in voting this year has caused huge changes for polling places. According to the Delaware Board of Elections, in-person voting numbers are lower than normal this year.
Poll worker Kelly Green Ohnmacht was in Georgetown all day for the primaries, but she did not see the turnout she was expecting.
“Unfortunately it has not been that busy since we’ve been here,” Ohnmacht said. “It’s trickled, it’s been steady, but there hasn’t ever been big groups of people that we were expecting.”
When Delawareans were given the option to vote by mail, it was inevitable that fewer people would come to vote in person than previous years.
“I did hear this year that they were expecting 40% less turnout because of the mail in ballots. So it’s unfortunate, we wish people would come in and be face to face,” Kelly said.
For voter Kay Uhle, Tuesday was a perfect day to head to the polls, and she is passionate about having her voice heard.
“As an American, I am pleased to vote, and it’s a privilege,” Uhle said. “And the weather is beautiful, we don’t have any excuse. We have to come out today and support our candidate of our choice, and just vote.”
Even though in-person voting numbers weren’t quite as high as expected for this year’s primaries, many people made the trip to vote on Tuesday, and many more sent their ballots through the mail.
Be sure to check back here or on the WBOC News app for Tuesday’s results.