York County polls see 75 percent voter turnout

Maybe it was the presidential election. Maybe it was the state ballot measures. Maybe it was the sunny, 55-degree weather, but something brought voters to the polls in droves on Tuesday.

York County Clerk Mary Melby was just glad they came. Tuesday's general election saw 75 percent of the county's 9,448 registered voters cast ballots.

"That's the highest it's ever been in a long, long time," she said.

This was Melby's first election as county clerk, but she previously served as deputy clerk. Longtime election workers confirmed for her that 75 percent turnout is something to cheer.

"All the polls said they were just busy nonstop," she said. "I'm very glad people went out and did their civic duty."

Unofficial results show 7,105 registered York County voters cast ballots. All votes are counted, but the tally won't be official until after county and state canvassers do their work, probably by the end of the month.

As for what brought voters out, it was probably "a little bit of everything," Melby said. "There was a lot on the ballot, a lot of important stuff."

For instance, former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris 5,197 votes to 1,637 in York County.

York County residents voted 3,336 to repeal Measure 435 while only 3,230 voted to retain it.

And they passed the York Public Schools bond issue by a vote of 2,255 to 1,862.

No problems were encountered at any of the York County polling places, Melby said, and she thanked her crew of experienced election workers.

"If it wasn't for them, this wouldn't have come together," she said.

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.