Democrats voting in the primary for former Speaker John A. Boehner’s old seat are stuck with an election whether they like it or not.

Republican Warren Davidson won a special election to finish Boehner’s term in June and is sure to win in this heavily Republican district in November.

Democratic opponent Corey Foister abruptly withdrew from the race in July, and even though former congressional staffer Steve Fought is running unopposed to take Foister’s place, the state mandates that the six counties in the district hold a special primary, The Associated Press reported.

The cost of Tuesday’s vote is estimated to be about $500,000. One election official predicted some of the hundreds of poll workers won’t see a single voter.

“This is just ridiculous,” said Diane Noonan, elections director for Butler County.