CINCINNATI -- Both Mayor John Cranley and Councilwoman Yvette Simpson spent Monday night making last-minute calls in an attempt to sway voters toward a win in Tuesday's mayoral election.
Simpson beat Cranley by 11 percent in the May primary. She said she felt confident that she could pull off another win Nov. 7 -- not by 11 percent, maybe, but at least by the 1 percent that would tip the scales in her favor.
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"We think the energy and momentum are with us, and we hope for a big win tomorrow," she said. "People want change, and they expect the change is going to be better for our city."
Cranley felt the heat. He admitted Monday night he felt "good, but scared" by the approaching deadline.
"I am out there shaking hands and trying to win every last vote," he said, adding that the process of revisiting every neighborhood in the city reminded him of why he hoped to continue governing his hometown.
Although this election has been unusually heated, especially for one involving two candidates from the same (Democratic) party, Cranley campaign volunteer Andy Wintering said it was still important for staffers to spend time drumming up enthusiasm among potential voters.
"With it not being a presidential year, there is always a drop-off in voter turnout," he said. "Our goal is to push our supporters out to the polls."
The Hamilton County Board of Elections projected a 35 percent voter turnout for Monday. Anyone wishing to vote should report to their polling place with a valid form of ID between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
