Voters were sparse at in the March 8 primary election in Los Angeles. The ballots included 10 citywide measures as well as candidates vying for City Council seats but as the polls came to a close at a District 8 polling location only 20 people had cast a vote.

Robert Peña, a clerk at the polling location at USC Hillel said the low turnout was anticipated. “We had a few people here and there but for the most part it was very slow.”

According to Peña, who has been working as an election clerk since 2003, fewer voters are expected at primary elections, even by the city.

“Just as an example, the city issued us around a thousand ballots and we used 20 of them. But you’ve got to remember we have about 2,500 registered voters in this precinct so that kind of gives you an idea of how much the city anticipates not one will show up,” said Peña.

Peña believes the city is partially to blame because of how little hype Tuesday’s election received, “for the most part it was a very low advertised election.”

Peña said the turnout was about 50-50 between USC students and members of the nearby community. But while the voters were scant, the ones that did show up were enthusiastic about the election.

“They were excited and happy to exercise their constitutional right. They seemed really interested and that’s a good thing. It inspires us and gives us a boost that someone is paying attention,“ said Peña.