By Mike Hazlip—
Turnout at a vote center set up inside the Citrus Heights Community Center was the lowest Larry Miramontes has seen in his 12 years as a poll inspector.
Less than 200 people had voted in person by 1 p.m. on Election Day, Miramontes said. He added the location had been open several days, and said the number did not include ballots dropped off.
“The volunteers tell me it’s been a low, slow turnout,” Miramontes told The Sentinel on Election Day. “Some days it’s 50 people, some days it’s close to nothing.”
Primary elections typically draw fewer voters, Miramontes said, despite the important role they play in determining candidates for the general election in November.
The low turnout seen at the community center can in part be explained by there being more in-person vote centers in Citrus Heights this year. During the Recall Election last year, Citrus Heights only had one vote center, while this year there were five locations.
Q&A: Why did Citrus Heights have only one location to vote in-person for 2021 election?
Last year, long lines were seen at the polling center at City Hall, and a steady stream of vehicles were moving through the roundabout as voters dropped off their ballots.
The low turnout this year was also seen countywide, with Sacramento County spokesperson Janna Haynes telling Cap Radio she expects a low turnout of about 22%, based on collected ballots and in-person voting.
Early results from Sacramento County show a turnout of 12%, but there are still an estimated 154,000 ballots left to process that have not been included in the turnout figure yet.
