Many Republicans stayed home because it was raining, they thought the Republican could win, the Democrat was not running on issues that really affected them. Besides why vote early?
We can bitch and complain all we want but until people care enough to work and get out the vote it is difficult to win especially at the local level. Women have become two issue voters. Abortion rights must be maintained even if every other right is lost and give me free stuff and let everyone else pay for it.