Buchanan County voter turnout for Tuesday’s municipal election looks like it will fall way short of predicted turnout numbers.

As of 3 p.m. voter turnout was only at 8.8%.  According to the county clerk’s office that percentage means only 4,293 ballots have been cast out of the 48,869 registered voters.

Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey said it does not look like turnout will meet her 25% prediction.  As we previously reported, Baack-Garvey said the average April General Municipal turnout has been around 18.25% over the last five years.

The only issue for St. Joseph residents to vote on is who will fill the two open spots on the St. Joseph School District Board of Education. Baack-Garvey said past turmoil in the St. Joseph School District makes it difficult to predict voter turn-out but was anticipating a higher turnout because of the issue.

Mid-Buchanan and DeKalb also have a measure on the ballot for school boards.

Polls are open until 7 p.m.