One of the biggest concerns that comes up with every election is the lack of voter turnout.

If you look at the numbers from Jefferson County during the last couple of presidential elections, you will find that about 69 percent of registered voters vote. Those numbers are a little bit lower in nonpresidential years.

According to statistics from the office of Secretary of State Frank LaRose, in November 2023, only 43.66 percent of the registered voters in the county cast ballots. In November of 2022, that number was 49.74 percent, while in November 2021, that number was 23 percent.

Part of the reason is that the local races don’t seem to generate as much interest as the state and national races. Or, that there are so few candidates on the ballot that many voters decide it’s not worth taking the time to fill out a ballot in advance or make the trip to the polling location on election day.

That might be where we are headed this year. There are not statewide races on this year’s ballots. The year between the presidential election and the mid-terms is reserved for municipal races and, of course, any local or statewide issues that might come up.

What’s troubling after looking at the list of candidates who had filed for offices in the May 6 primary in Jefferson County is the lack of names. It seems as if there just aren’t that many people who are willing to take on the responsibility of making government work.

In Steubenville, for instance, the office of mayor, members of council in the even wards — Second, Fourth and Sixth — and judge in Municipal Court are all up for grabs.

On the Republican side, three candidates did file — Kimberly Hahn, Ralph A. Petrella and Charles Burch. Hahn brings experience in city government to the table, having served a couple of terms as councilwoman at large before term limits kept her from seeking re-election.

Not a single Democrat filed, which means that the winner of the Republican primary will likely be unopposed in the Nov. 4 general election. And that means, in essence, that only registered Republicans who cast ballots will be choosing who will replace longtime Mayor Jerry Barilla.

There could be an independent candidate or two who file before the 4 p.m. May 5 deadline, but those candidates who choose to bypass a primary election usually do not fare well in the general election.

It gets only a little better when you look at the other races on the Steubenville ballot. Republican incumbent Tracy McManamon is seeking re-election in the Second Ward — and no candidate filed on the Democratic side. In the Sixth Ward, incumbent Republican Mike Hernon choose to not seek re-election. Jennifer Terpenning did file on the Republican side — and no candidate filed on the Democratic side.

Voters in the Second Ward will have a choice in the November general election. Incumbent Democrat Royal Mayo is seeking re-election and will be challenged by Republican Marc Barnes. Neither faces opposition in the primary. That means November will see a rematch — Mayo defeated Barnes with 68.67 percent of the ward’s vote in 2021.

Incumbent Judge John J. Mascio is running unopposed on the Democratic side — and no candidate filed on the Republican side.

It doesn’t look much better in Toronto and Mingo Junction.

In the Gem City, council President Frank McEwen, a Democrat, is seeking re-election — no Republican filed. Also seeking re-election is Treasurer James Orsini, a Democrat — no Republican filed. There are three council at large seats up for election, but only one candidate, incumbent Michael Burkey, a Republican, has filed.

In Mingo Junction, meanwhile, the treasurer’s position and two seats are up for grabs — no one for either party filed for any of the spots.

Across the Ohio River in Brooke County, voters will have a few choices to make in nonpartisan votes.

In Follansbee, incumbent Mayor David Velegol is being challenged by Scott McMahaon; in the 1st Ward, incumbent Tammy Johnson is being challenged by Anthony D’Ulisse; in the 4th Ward, Rudy Cipriani and Stephen Varlas will be looking to replace Frank Pedersen, who decided not to run; in the 5th Ward, incumbent Wendy DeAngelis is being challenged by Joseph Kafton; in the 2nd Ward, Charles McCoy will not seek re-election, and current Councilman at large John Casinelli is going after that seat; and John Schwertfeger is the only candidate to file for council at large.

Running unopposed are Police Chief Larry Rea, City Attorney Michael Gaudio, City Clerk David Kurcina and 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich.

Wellsburg voters will find contested races in the 3rd Ward — incumbent Tom Gaudio and challengers Jeff Hawkins and Hunter Hamlin — and the 4th Ward — incumbent Charles Harris and Larry Swanson. Unopposed are Mayor Dan Dudley, Police Chief Mike Allman, 1st Ward Councilman Jack Kins and 2nd Ward Councilman Geno Capp.

There are so few candidates that it is possible the city councils in both communities could opt not to have a primary election, which would send all the candidates through to the June 10 general election.

And it all leads to a simple question — Why are there few candidates? No one can say for sure, but a big part of the reason might be the terrible tone set by candidates at the federal and state levels. That has not really been an issue in our area’s local elections — though some tried to make it a part of a couple of the races in Jefferson County last fall.

Another reason might be that it takes a huge amount of time to serve in a public office, and that’s something fewer and fewer people are willing to invest in.

Whatever the reasons, there likely is not any one thing but a combination of many factors that make elected offices unattractive for a lot of people.

Remember, that no matter in which state you live, if you are not registered, you will not be able to vote. In Ohio, the deadline to register to vote in the May 6 primary is 9 p.m. April 7. In West Virginia, meanwhile, the deadline will be 21 days before the election date.

Get involved in deciding how your community will be run — research the requirements, know the expectations and responsibilities that go with the particular post and run for office. Or, if that’s not for you, at least make sure you vote.

(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.)