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View Full Version : Democratic voter turnout surges as GOP turnout falters


Richard Tafoya
Jan 26th, 2008, 02:43 PM
Time Magazine:
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1707063,00.html

Voters are showing up at Democratic primaries and caucuses in record numbers, doubling, tripling or even quadrupling the turnout totals recorded in the last fully contested two-party election in 2000. Overall, Democrats have so far outnumbered Republicans at primary polling places by a rate of almost two to one.

So far three states have held primaries or caucuses that both parties actively contested, and in each, Democratic turnout is outrunning participation by Republicans:

--In Iowa, some 239,000 Democrats turned out at the caucuses, almost twice the all-time record. Republicans doubled their turnout in Iowa, as well, but still only reached 114,000.

--In New Hampshire, some 287,000 Democrats turned out to vote, up from 156,862 in 2000, while Republican turnout decreased slightly to 238,000.

--In Nevada, more than 116,000 voters attended Democratic party caucuses in a state where, eight years ago, the gatherings attracted only about 1,000 votes. Republicans, too, broke turnout records. But their total of 44,315 votes was about a third the size of the Democrats'.

In total, in the three states where there have been two-party contests — Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada — 642,000 Democrats have turned out to vote compared to 396,315 Republicans, a ratio of 8 to 5. As of now, the level of primary participation is nearing the levels seen in general elections.

DoubleEdgeSword
Jan 27th, 2008, 03:18 AM
I'm very interested to see what happens in Florida on Tuesday. I will tell you this, people are talking more now than in the past two elections. I expect a large voter turnout here. And the weather looks great, high in the high-60s to mid-70s, sunny with just a 10% chance of rain.

Incident
Jan 27th, 2008, 07:43 PM
Is there a real Democratic Primary in Florida or is it similar to Michigan's?

DoubleEdgeSword
Jan 28th, 2008, 05:16 AM
People will come out and vote. That's real. Whether or not those delegates will count remains to be seen. Political games...