(Toledo News Now) - Northwest Ohio voters have some major decisions to make, including the decision for mayor of Toledo.
The machines are up and running with a steady flow of people coming in and out to cast their vote. The Lucas County Board of Elections director, Meghan Gallagher, says every year they prepare for 100 percent voter turnout and have machines, as well as back-up paper ballots, ready to go.
"Every single election we prepare for 100 percent voter turnout, and we prepare to ensure that every voter who wants to cast a ballot can cast a ballot," said Gallagher.
So far only one issue was reported Tuesday morning: a slight delay in getting machines at Dorr Street Elementary operating on time. Gallagher said voters used paper ballots while a tech team was called in to help. According to Gallagher, they have a special phone line for poll workers to call if anything goes wrong with the machines and four tech teams are on standby to help fix any issues.
"There were a couple of locations where the machines - there were a couple of adjustments that needed to be made. While those were being done, paper ballots were issued, and that's exactly why the procedure is in the place that it is to ensure that anybody who comes in to vote is able to vote," said Gallagher.
Mayoral candidate Mike Collins cast his vote in Toledo Tuesday morning. Mayor Mike Bell participated in early voting. Both sides are hosting events election night.
Toledo Public Schools will be watching closely as voters head to the polls. The district is hoping its renewal levy, also known as Issue 24, passes. School officials say this is really important to the district since the levy has failed in the past. If the levy does not pass this time, the district may be forced to make $7 million in cuts.
As of 1 p.m., voter turnout in Lucas County is 11.9 percent. The next update should come in soon.
Gallagher's main concern is making sure voters go to the right place because the early vote center is closed and voters need to go to their assigned polling locations.
TARTA is stepping up to help voters get to their polling locations. The transit authority is providing free bus service all day until 11 p.m. This includes all TARTA's services: Fixed Line, TARPS, and Call-A-Ride.
Polls were open in Ohio until 7:30 p.m. and in Michigan until 8 p.m.
