Election 2008
In-depth coverage of the candidates and the issues, all leading up to the Aug. 5 primary and the Nov. 4 general election.
Thornburgh predicts low voter turnout
Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh predicted voter turnout in Tuesday's primary elections will be the second lowest since 1990. Enlarge video
Topeka — Fewer than one in five Kansas voters will cast ballots in the Tuesday primary, Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh predicted Friday.
That would make it the second-lowest primary turnout since at least 1990, Thornburgh said in forecasting a turnout of 19.3 percent, or about 319,000 voters. The lowest primary turnout was in 2006 at 18.1 percent of registered voters.
"The high number of uncontested races, lack of local ballot issues and a generally slow campaign cycle are leading me to predict a below-average showing on Tuesday," he said.
Of 350 possible races - Legislature, Congress and State Board of Education - only 48 are contested party primaries, he said.
He said turnout may be a little higher in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes western Lawrence, because of the Republican Party primary race between Lynn Jenkins and Jim Ryun.
But, he said, even that race has been considered more low key than anticipated.
"Both candidates seemed to get started on their advertising later than expected," he said.
Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew said he expected countywide turnout to range from 18 percent to 20 percent.
"The western part will have a much higher turnout. The Ryun-Jenkins race is having an impact, but also the County Commission races," he said.
There are 1,642,477 Kansans registered to vote. Approximately 742,000 are registered as Republicans; 452,000 unaffiliated; 449,000 Democratic; and the remainder are registered with other parties.
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