AP: Voter turnout a tad higher than last midterm

[sonicx]

WASHINGTON - Voter turnout was more than 40 percent this year, slightly higher than in the last midterm election, according to the nonpartisan Center for the Study of the American Electorate at American University.

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It also was a big turnout success for Democrats. They drew more voters than Republicans for the first time in a midterm election since 1990, Gans said Wednesday.

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National turnout could end up substantially higher, pending more complete numbers from California and Washington state, Gans said. The highest recent midterm turnout was 42.1 percent in 1982.

In fiercely contested Virginia — where Democratic challenger James Webb’s lead over Republican incumbent George Allen was razor thin and a recount was likely — an estimated 43.7 percent of eligible voters went to the polls, compared to 29.2 percent in the previous midterm.

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Ohioans also came out in substantially greater numbers — unofficial figures showed 44.3 percent of eligible voters cast ballots compared to 38.4 percent in 2002.

Turnout also was substantially higher in Michigan and Missouri; somewhat higher in Connecticut, Delaware and Kentucky, and slightly higher in Montana, Gans’ calculations showed.

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http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15621554/

[Binka]

1. Power In Numbers People...There Are More Of Us Than Them n/t

[liberal N proud]

2. More than 40 percent is slight?

What would they call a large increase?

[darmok167]

3. over 40% of eligible voters voted.

The actual increase in turnout from the previous midterm elections in 2002 is what was slight.

[Lars39]

4. What a spin!

Trying to make a 40%increase sound like nothing. :eyes:

[hedgehog]

5. We need to find out what happened to the other 60%

Unregistered?

Unable to vote because of work or picking up kids or a long commute, etc?

Uninterested in voting ("All those politicians are bums", "my vote won't make a difference", "it doesn't matter who wins")?


The answers should direct our efforts over the next two years.

[Nabia2004]

6. Washington State - 67 percent voter turnout

This according to officials on last nights local news.