Polling places around St. Joseph are now open for today's primary election. &nbsp;

Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack Garvey says based on her research voter turnout is expected to be low&nbsp;

"What I usually do is I look what happened two years ago, or four even, just to do an average of the turnout and I'm looking at probably a 30% turnout from an average of both the 2020 and 2018 elections," Baack Garvey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;

Baack Garvey says she would like to see that number end higher, but unfortunately&nbsp;

"You know, I don't have the power to get the people out there to vote," she says.&nbsp;

Baack Garvey says local issues on the ballot could drive more people to come and vote&nbsp;

"A contested presiding commissioner race that has been quite a good campaign with both of those candidates," Baack Garvey explains. "And of course, anything locally that has to do with our school district, I think that will always help the turnout, it's just getting them out there to vote."&nbsp;

The Buchanan County Clerk to find your local polling place.&nbsp; Polls are open until 7pm.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Polling places around St. Joseph are now open for today's primary election. &nbsp;Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack Garvey says based on her research voter turnout is expected to be low&nbsp;"What I usually do is I look what happened two years ago, or four even, just to do an average of the turnout and I'm looking at probably a 30% turnout from an average of both the 2020 and 2018 elections," Baack Garvey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;Baack Garvey says she would like to see that number end higher, but unfortunately&nbsp;"You know, I don't have the power to get the people out there to vote," she says.&nbsp;Baack Garvey says local issues on the ballot could drive more people to come and vote&nbsp;"A contested presiding commissioner race that has been quite a good campaign with both of those candidates," Baack Garvey explains. "And of course, anything locally that has to do with our school district, I think that will always help the turnout, it's just getting them out there to vote."&nbsp;The Buchanan County Clerk to find your local polling place.&nbsp; Polls are open until 7pm.&nbsp;

Low voter turnout expected as polls open for primary election in Buchanan County