Precincts with contested races in Smithfield and Benson reported average municipal election turnout as of mid-afternoon Tuesday.

In Smithfield, the District 2 race between Tony Gupton and Perry Harris drew the biggest crowd with just over 200 voters by 3 p.m. at First Christian Church in South Smithfield. About 100 people had voted by that time at Town Hall, a precinct that includes part of several districts.

Despite having three candidates, the District 3 race was drawing a smaller crowd, with about 80 votes cast by 2 p.m. at Smithfield Middle School. Smithfield Church of God was, by far, the quietest polling place in Smithfield with about 25 votes cast by mid-afternoon. Zach Crocker is running unopposed for the District 4 Town Council seat in that precinct. Also at that site, only four people had voted in the Whitley Heights Sanitary District Commissioner race. No one filed to be on the ballot in that race, so a write-in vote will likely win.

Poll workers said those numbers were about on par with what they've seen in past municipal elections.

With two polling places in his district, town council candidate Travis Scott had been shuffling between the locations since just after 6 a.m.

"It's been a lot of hard work," Scott said. "I'll be glad when we can put it behind us."

All candidates in contested races were outside the polls most of the day with their supporters. Unopposed mayoral candidate Daniel Evans continued his campaign at several locations in an effort, he said, to show he takes the post seriously. But neither Crocker nor his supporters were at their polling place when a reporter stopped by.

Many voters passed by the candidates and their supporters with little more than a wave.

"I think they've had their minds made up," said Bob Worsham, a volunteer for Harris' campaign.

In Benson, just under 300 people had voted by 4 p.m. at the American Legion lodge, the largest precinct within the town limits. Several candidates said they were expecting a slightly higher turnout than in past municipal elections, though not necessarily because there are seven candidates competing for three commissioners seats.

"I honestly think the mayor's race is having the biggest impact on turnout," said incumbent commissioner candidate Doug Oglesby.

In a rematch of the 2007 mayoral contest, incumbent William Massengill faces former mayor Jerry McLamb. Both men had tables set up outside the American Legion, each with a number of volunteers.