Another Democrat favored to win Pittsburgh mayor

Pittsburgh residents probably won’t find many reasons to get out and vote today in an election… Pittsburgh residents probably won’t find many reasons to get out and vote today in an election that appears to have been over before the polling places opened.

Associate Dean of Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs Dr. David Miller said that voter turnout in Allegheny County is expected to be low because of relative apathy and a lack of public discussion.

“There are not a lot of issues this election,” Miller said. “This is a non-election election.”

Six candidates are running for city mayor, though lopsided registration in Allegheny County favors the Democratic candidate Bob O’Connor.

“Bob is a pretty mainstream candidate,” Miller said. “He has no big critics within the Democratic party. There is no meaningful opposition.”

Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a 5-1 ratio in Pittsburgh.

Republican candidate Joe Weinroth, Socialist Workers Party candidate Jay Ressler, Green Party candidate Titus North, independent candidate David Tessitor and write-in candidate Les Ludwig round out the ballot.

In addition to the mayoral race, registered students can vote for members of city council. Councilman Bill Peduto – who represents North Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside and a few other neighborhoods – is up for re-election in District 8.

In District 6, which encompasses South Oakland and a part of West Oakland, Republican Alan Perry is running against Democrat Tonya D. Payne.

Despite the fact that voters are not faced with any big referendum questions, Miller still believes that there is at least one reason to stop by the polls.

“I think voting for city mayor is an important act of civic duty,” he said.

To find the polling place nearest you, visit www.county.allegheny.pa.us/votedistricts/.