Mary and Jim Schmidt briskly walked from their home on East Central Avenue to vote at New Beginnings United Methodist Church.
Their frustration with this year’s election was evident Tuesday morning.
“I just want to get it over with,” Mary said.
While final results were not available at press time, polls showed Republican nominee Donald Trump ahead of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Ohio, followed by Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
Other items on the ballot for Ohioans included a U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Rob Portman and his Democratic challenger, Ted Strickland. Portman was expected to win the race.
There were also several local issues in Delaware County, including school and road levies, and a few state races.
“It’s been a really smooth day,” said Karla Herron, director of Delaware County Board of Elections.
She said the poll pads, or tablets, where voters slide their drivers license, has made the process efficient.
Before entering the polling place, Jim said they were leaning toward Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, who trailed behind Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Additionally, Mary said she would vote for the city of Delaware’s road levy, which would raise the income tax from 1.85 to 2 percent to improve and maintain the local infrastructure.
She said the congestion and road conditions were bad.
Several people had already voted at New Beginnings before the Schmidts stepped foot at its parking lot. Voting location manager B. Foster said 141 people showed up to vote in the first hour and expected it to be steady throughout the day until the evening rush when people vote after they get off work.
“That’s pretty normal,” she said.
On the other side of town, Ben Shaw, 27, said he would be voting Democrat for the first time in the presidential election.
“I’m just glad that it’s finally here,” he said at the front entrance of Delaware Christian Church on West William Street.
“I’m ready for a voice of civility.”
Shaw was undecided about the city’s road levy. He said there was a need to improve the city’s local infrastructure but wasn’t sure if the city had presented the best plan.
Delaware Christian’s voting location manager Matt Dick said they had about 200 to 300 people who voted in the first hour.
