Region records unexpectedly high turnout

Voters turned out in good numbers throughout the region, exceeding local elections officials estimates.

Allen County, for instance, expected a turnout of 30 percent to 40 percent of registered voters for Tuesday’s off-year election. Instead, 44.4 percent of voters turned out to express their opinions on three state issues, a countywide tax referendum and a hotly contested Lima mayoral race.

Other counties saw turnouts above 40 percent.

The highest voter turnout in the region came in Shelby County, where 56.6 percent of the voters turned out, driven heavily by the state issues on veterans benefits, livestock care and casinos.

Van Wert County had 45.3 percent turnout. Hardin County saw 46.8 percent of its voters cast ballots. To its north, Hancock County recorded 44 percent voter turnout.