After a year of campaigning – it comes down to today. Some hotly contested races will be decided tonight.

Voter turnout is typically low in these off-year elections - about 25%. This one is mostly fitting that pattern -- with some exceptions. For the most part, polling places around the county are seeing a trickle -- not a flood -- of voters.

The county reports that turnout in the city of Erie is extremely low... around 10% as of midday. But there are a couple places in the county where voters are turning out in droves.

One of them is in Millcreek, where the race for township supervisor has become highly charged and hotly contested between incumbent Larry Curtis and challenger Rick Figaski. Much more so than some of the past races we've seen for that office.

The battle for the 6th county council seat in southern Erie County is also drawing plenty of people. Of course the biggest race of all is the battle for Erie county executive between political newcomers Barry Grossman and Mike Kerner.

Those races are responsible for drawing out just about everyone we talked to today, and that's a good thing for those candidates. Because when turnout is low -- experts say anything can happen at the polls.

Dr. Michael Federici, a Mercyhurst College political science professor, says, "So voter turnout is the most important factor in these local races. And it’s important even for people who are considered to be the favorites. Because if their voters become complacent, and they don’t come out to vote, and their opponent does a better job of getting people out to the polls, then you could see upsets."

The polls close at 8 o’clock.