For poll workers in York, last year's presidential election feels like a long time ago.

Then, lines snaked out the door and down the hall. Volunteers were so busy checking in voters that breakfast didn't come until lunchtime and lunch might not have come at all.

Well today, with turnout low at most city wards in elections for mayor, city council and school board, judge of elections Ukawanna Nesbit had plenty of time to eat a sausage biscuit and fruit.

"It was a good breakfast," she said.

Just before 1 p.m., she said, 105 of 1,985 registered voters had visited the YMCA to cast a ballot in the fifth Ward. At that rate, the fifth will need a strong afternoon rush to reach the 20 percent turnout county officials are predicting.

The story is the same across the city.

The 11th ward, which votes at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, drew 86 people by 11:20 a.m.

"It's what we expected," said the judge there Phylis Gipe. "All of the people that came out last year, they probably have forgotten where they voted."

One hundred of 959 registered voters had turned out at Lincoln Engine Company by lunchtime.

"We're just getting ready," deadpanned one poll worker there.

Only 42 had turned out at Manor Baptist Church just before noon, said judge Linda Amos, who noted that many voters seemed to be writing in candidates. The

Kathi Gray is watched closely by son Tim Gray, 14, while she votes at the Dallastown Borough offices Tuesday. ( DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - BIL BOWDEN)
mayor's race does have one write-in candidate, Steve Young. City councilman Joe Musso, who abandoned an independent bid for mayor, has also been encouraging people to write in their vote no matter who they vote for.

Some polling places did see early action.

The city's first precinct, which votes at the Salvation Army, had 25 voters before 9 a.m. said judge of elections Joseph M. Jackson Sr.

"That's not bad," Jackson said. "They said it's a low turnout year, but it doesn't seem that way. If it keeps going like that, it will be better than they expected it to be."

Brad Weirich, the judge of elections in the fifth precinct, brought a few books to the Crispus Attucks center expecting a slow day. But 36 voters in the first hour

York mayoral candidate Wendell Banks, center, and write-in candidate Steven Young, right, shake hands before heading to different polling places Tuesday. Kim Rollo, left, talked with both candidates before voting inside Kranich Hall. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - BIL BOWDEN)
and 15 minutes kept him and the other poll workers busy.

But lines are not wrapping around the building like they did last year.

Rebecca Cook, who was campaigning for judicial candidate Chuck Patterson in the parking lot outside the International Brotherhood Electrical Workers hall, said it seemed more people are going in to sign up for work than to vote.

Should turnout remain slow across the city, one person who could benefit is Young, who spent the morning bouncing between polling places introducing himself to voters. Since supplies are limited, he and his supporters are asking voters to return the cards bearing his name after they vote, so the cards can be given out again.

"A low turnout could also mean a low turnout for me," Young said. "(But) a low turnout may mean that those who do vote want change . . . They're refusing to be apathetic."

Across the county, turnout is slow, but there have been no reported problems, said Nikki Suchanic, director of office of elections and voter registration.

"Everything is going smoothly," Suchanic said. "Poll workers are saying that turnout is kind of light, and that's what we expected this year."