Election turnout rate tops 40 percent

[tpsbmam]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061108/ap_on_el_ge/eln_turnout

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The overall turnout rate, reflecting a percentage of voting age population, was 40.4 percent, compared with 39.7 percent in 2002, the director of American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate.

A preliminary analysis showed that turnout was down in some states and higher in others — notably up in Virginia, where it appeared more people voted than in any midterm in the state before, researcher Curtis Gans said.

In Virginia, where Democratic challenger James Webb's lead over Republican incumbent George Allen was razor thin, an estimated 43.7 percent of eligible voters went to the polls, compared with 29.2 percent in 2002, the last nonpresidential election year.

Ohioans also came out in substantially greater numbers. Unofficial figures showed 44.6 percent of eligible voters cast ballots compared with 38.4 percent in 2002.

Turnout was substantially higher in Michigan, Missouri, Connecticut and Montana; it was somewhat higher in Delaware and Kentucky.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. That is still really pathetic. I wish we could get twice that to participate

[tpsbmam]

2. I totally agree.....

I thought it was much higher in some states. During the afternoon for the VA race, I heard some say it could be as high as 65% (which would far beat presidential elections). It's pathetic. But I do have to hand it to everyone (okay, patting my own back here as well) who worked on GOTV. It made a difference!

[Deep13]

3. Jesus Christ. After all that, less than half of REGISTERED voters came out.

That's why we lost the Tennessee Senate race.