Voter turnout tops out at 17 percent

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February 15, 2007

By Robert Barron Staff Writer The Enid News and Eagle Thu Feb 15, 2007, 12:09 AM CST

Voter turnout in Enid Tuesday was below 20 percent, although it was considered “slightly” better than typical, according to Garfield County Election Board Secretary Wenona Marshall.

The mayor’s race, the only one in which all Enid voters could cast a ballot, saw a turnout of 17 percent.

John Criner polled 2,519 votes to defeat Ron Johnston, who had 1,270 votes.

Criner met with City Manager Eric Benson Wednesday afternoon to discuss issues he’s interested in pursuing. Criner said he wants to get his ideas in play before the new budget is done, so he can have an immediate impact. The city budget year ends June 30. New commissioners will take office May 1.

Two candidates in the Ward 1 Enid city commission race will face off April 3 to determine who wins the seat. Candidates Jim Crabbs and Bill Presley were five votes apart with all precincts reporting Tuesday.

Crabbs led Presley 387 to 382. Both candidates said Tuesday they appreciated the people who voted for them and said they would continue campaigning.

The Ward 1 campaign remained friendly throughout the election, as did the other city races. A third candidate in the Ward 1 race, Jim Butricks, received 94 votes.

“A runoff is not what I had in mind, but we will continue,” Crabbs said. He plans to work twice as hard in the runoff campaign.

Presley also said he was hoping to be through with the campaign but will forge ahead and continue knocking on doors.

In the Autry Technology Center board race, won by Steve Biddle, turnout also was about 17 percent. There were 4,935 total votes cast in the race out of a pool of 29,184 eligible voters.

Turnout was little better in other county races.

In Ward 1, 863 total votes were cast among 4,352 eligible voters for a 20 percent turnout.

The Ward 2 race, won by Don Rose, had 3,635 eligible voters and 663 voters cast, for a turnout of 18 percent.

Marshall said the city election in 2003 had a turnout of 28 percent. In 2005, turnout was 10 percent.

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Voter turnout tops out at 17 percent

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