Secretary of state, GOP at odds over reason for high voter registration / LJWorld.com

Lawrence and Douglas county

A line of advance voters winds into the Douglas County Courthouse courtroom Friday afternoon. County Clerk Jamie Shew said that on Thursday alone more than 1,100 people voted. More than 14,000 people had already cast ballots or received a mail-in ballot as of Thursday evening, said Keith Campbell, the county's elections deputy.

By Scott Rothschild

October 31, 2008, 11:59 a.m. Updated October 31, 2008, 2:23 p.m.

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.

Breaking Political News

Want to be among the first to know about news on the Nov. 4 election? As soon as results are in, or whenever breaking political news happens, the news will be in your e-mail or on your cell phone - you choose.

Sign up for LJWorld.com Breaking Political News alerts.
And stay updated on all the latest political news by subscribing to our daily political news e-mail edition.

Topeka — Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh on Friday predicted a record voter turnout in Kansas -- caused in part by what he called the "Obama Effect."

The candidacy of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has produced a surge in voter registration, especially among 18- to 30-year-olds, said Thornburgh, who is a Republican.

"We're seeing that not only in the state of Kansas but we're seeing that around the country as well," he said.

Shortly after Thornburgh's news conference, the Kansas Republican Party issued a news release seeking to refute Thornburgh's statement.

"Despite what you might have heard from Ron Thornburgh's press conference today crediting the 'Obama Effect' for increased voter interest in Kansas, below is the real story from Senator (Pat) Roberts' campaign about the great progress we have made in Republican voter registration and turnout efforts this year," the release from Kansas Republican Party executive director Christian Morgan said.

Thornburgh said in addition to the "Obama Effect," the high voter turnout is being driven by political parties emphasizing early voting, hotly contested races, pleasant weather conditions and the souring economy.

"As I traveled the state of Kansas, and I've been in the coffee shops and the cafes, there is an angry electorate to a certain degree this time that perhaps we've not seen for a while," he said.

He said he expected 1,364,810 voters, or 78 percent, of registered voters to visit the polls. That would be a record number of voters, although the 1992 election had a higher percentage turnout of registered voters, at 85 percent, he said.

With advance voting still going on, Thornburgh said he expects more than 300,000 Kansans to vote early, which would eclipse the 2004 record of 233,000.

Of the registered voters, Republicans make up 44 percent, Democrats, 27 percent, unaffiliated, 27 percent and the rest minor parties.

Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew said the county should see percentage turnout in the high 70s.

"At this moment we are setting records on a daily basis in advance voting," Shew said.

For more information on voting go to www.voteks.org.

Discussion

LJWorld.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

31 October 2008
at 8:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

Bob_Keeshan (Anonymous) says…

the real story from Senator (Pat) Roberts' campaign about the great progress we have made in Republican voter registration and turnout efforts this year,” the release from Kansas Republican Party executive director Christian Morgan said.––—Well, this is nonsense. If the reporter took the 30 seconds it would require to check the facts, I bet he would discover there have been more new Democrats registered than there have been new Republicans.In fact, my guess is Republicans finish third in new registrations statewide behind Independents and Democrats.Christian Morgan is spreading a lie, and whats worse he knows the figures and is spreading lies to a willing media anyway.Looks like Mr. Rothschild chose “trick” from the KS GOP.
1 November 2008
at 7:15 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

jayhawkbarrister (Anonymous) says…

And for his next trick, Roberts will walk on water.I can't wait for next week's refutation press release from the GOP 'splaining the results. Will they shoot the messenger or blame bin Laden?
1 November 2008
at 7:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

“…Republicans make up 44 percent, Democrats, 27 percent…” I'm here for you stellar superstars if you need to vent at little.
1 November 2008
at 8:36 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

beobachter (Anonymous) says…

Somehow I tend to give more weight to what Thornburgh says than any lie coming from Roberts.
1 November 2008
at 3:02 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

KEITHMILES05 (Anonymous) says…

Christian Morgan is nothing more than a mouthpiece spewing ridiculous ideas. If people look at him as the typical Pub then I hope to goodness they pause to ask what their party is doing. I have heard heard this nitwit speak on the radio and he is nothing more than an amateur clown who is into dishwater politics. He's a disgrace to the Pubs.
1 November 2008
at 3:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

jafs (Anonymous) says…

Democrats 27% + unaffiliated 27%=54%Republicans 44%For TS.
1 November 2008
at 4:06 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

sdinges (Anonymous) says…

Jafs, are you under the impression that unaffiliated voters in Kansas are overwhelmingly liberal?