So, how low was the turnout in Racine County? Very low, indeed.
Predictions before the primary suggested about 15% of voters might vote in what was a lackluster election in most races -- an awful lot of unopposed candidates -- except for the Democrats' 1st District Congressional contest. That race started out with four candidates, and ended up with three.
Fifteen percent, it turns out, would have been great. Instead, less than half that percentage voted... even when we include the minor parties.
Racine County has 126,228 registered voters. There were 4,361 Democratic ballots cast, 3,728 Republican, 22 Wisconsin Green and 69 Libertarian -- for a total of 8,559.
In other words, 6.78% of those eligible to vote did so.
Pathetic.
Yes it is. Goes to show that as much as folks bitch about the government they really do not care.
ReplyDeleteWe get the Government we deserve
Let's not read too much into this number. Remember that it is a partisan primary and not a general election. I think it does go to show that there are very few involved "party people" these days, though. I wonder why.....
ReplyDeleteI did vote. I chose a Wisconsin Green ballot even though there were no candidates listed. My little way of making a statement.
I think it is cool that there were 91 people (1%)in the county (Greens and Libertarians) that chose to do this. Voters who made the trip to reject the norm...
For a good discussion on voting third party, see: http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2008/09/09/spare-change-for-hope-or-the-democrats-butt
Uh Oh - I agree with Pete Karas ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis was a primary election. The low turnout may say something about the parties that had primaries. However, I, for one, did not vote because there was not a primary on the Republican side.
We need to do away with open primaries. The primary election is about choosing the candidates for various parties. Once that is settled, you can "ticket split" all you want during the general election. I feel you should have to register by party affiliation in order to vote in a primary.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteTake two aspirin and call me in the morning...
Seriously, in one sense voters DO register by party affiliation ... they're forced to declare themselves to vote in a primary.
Granted, it's possible for members of another party (say, one without any burning issues) to "register" as members of another party to wreak havoc in the other side's primary and help choose the worst possbile candidate for the other side.
The fear, of course, is that that doofus might actually get elected... Just sayin'.