By Emma Deihle
Voter turnout was low in Tuesday’s off-year general election for Rockbridge County, Lexington and Buena Vista, according to local registrars.
While numbers of those who voted had not be fully counted Tuesday night, turnout appeared to be similar to 2013. Two years ago, with a governor’s race but primarily local races and no races in Lexington, voter turnout in Lexington was 39 percent and 20 percent in Buena Vista.
Despite the projected low turnout, some voters Tuesday found that having any election was enough motivation to vote.
“It’s my duty. This is where I live,” said Lexington resident Rober Vasura, who moved to Lexington from Washington, D.C. a little over a year ago.
Nearly 14,000 people are registered to vote in Rockbridge County, which is close to the total number in 2013.
This election is known as an off-off year election because there is no presidential name on the top of the ballot and no statewide or congressional race. Across the state, voters will elect some state senators and all the delegates.
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, ran for re-election unopposed in Virginia’s 25th senatorial district.
In the 24th House of Delegates district, Democrat Ellen Arthur, a recently retired Lexington attorney, lost to Del. Ben Cline, R-Amherst.
Voters also re-elected Rockbridge County’s sheriff and elected a new commonwealth’s attorney.