There’s always a lot of talk about politics and politicians, and how government at every level should be run.

Yet, when there’s a chance to step up and get involved in the process, many people choose not to be involved.

The latest example came in Ohio’s May 6 primary. According to Secretary of State Frank LaRose, just 10.98 percent of the state’s registered voters participated in the election. That’s 901,066 ballots cast out of the 8,205,338 registered voters across Ohio.

Turnout in any off-year vote is traditionally low. There are no statewide offices on those ballots, though there is the occasional statewide referendum, such as happened this year with Issue 2. Once again, Ohioans showed they were interested in repairing and improving the state’s infrastructure, easily passing the issue by a 593,691 to 281,862 vote, or by a healthy margin of 67.81 percent.

In Jefferson County, the issue passed by an even greater total — 3,252 residents voted for the issue, and 1,121 voted against it, meaning it passed with 74.37 percent of the vote.

Overall turnout in Jefferson County was pretty much in line with the statewide average, with 4,456 of the county’s 45,924 registered voters casting a ballot.

That’s 9.7 percent.

A big reason for that number was, no doubt, the lack of contested races. One race that was contested was for the Republican nominee in the race for mayor in Steubenville. Political newcomer Ralph A. Petrella defeated former Councilwoman at large Kimberly Hahn in that race, which was close — when the vote was certified, Petrella held a 13-vote edge, 795-782.

No Democrat filed for the office — there is a write-in candidate listed already, Chuck Burch — which means Petrella is almost certain to replace Mayor Jerry Barilla after the November vote. Write-in candidates do have until 4 p.m. Aug. 25 to decide to enter the race.

The closeness of that race — Petrella won with 50.41 percent of the vote — is becoming more common with each election cycle. It also serves as a reminder that every vote does indeed count.

LaRose offered up several examples of that earlier this month. He reported that results in 11 local races across the state led to an automatic recount and two local issues ended in a tie vote.

Consider: A ward race for City Council in Lancaster in Fairfield County was decided by one vote, as were a local option issue in Richland County and the Eden Township fire and EMS levy in Seneca County. A Medina Township police levy in Medina County was decided by four votes, while five votes made up the margin in a Meigs County 911 levy, a Madison school levy renewal in Butler County and a Huber Heights school levy in Montgomery County.

With the exception of Columbiana County, which saw 11,331 of its 66,445 registered voters — 17.05 percent — cast ballots, Jefferson County’s turnout was pretty much in line with the other counties in our region. In Carroll County, 1,583 of the 18,373 registered voters — 8.62 percent — cast ballots, while in Harrison County, 713 of the 10,011 registered voters — 7.12 percent — cast ballots and in Belmont County, 3,094 of the 45,081 registered voters — 6.86 percent — cast ballots.

Interest in off-year elections is not always great, but their results do most directly affect our lives. In addition to the city races on the fall ballot there will be four councilmembers to elect in every village. Two of the three trustee seats will be up for election in each township. Voters in Adena and Stratton will have the opportunity to choose a member to the board of trustees public affairs, while voters in Dillonvale and New Alexandria will get to choose a mayor for unexpired terms that end on Dec. 21, 2027.

Residents will get to vote on three members of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and the other county school districts — with the exception of the Indian Creek Local School District, where two seats will be up.

The deadline to file for those seats is 4 p.m. Aug. 6.

You can be sure that there will be a fair number of issues and other ballot measures that will be sprinkled in as well, which means that depending on where you live in the county, you could have many items to vote on.

That’s why you should make sure you’re registered to vote before the 9 p.m. Oct. 6 deadline.

There no doubt will be flashier races in the next few years — the race for governor in Ohio next year figures to be among the most closely watched contests in the country, for example. Plus, every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for grabs.

One vote really can make a difference — make sure you let your voice be heard.

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