Mike McCarville
There are indications today’s Republican voter turnout could top the 249,069 total in 2010.
Absentee requests were on par with that year and early voting results this morning indicate moderate to heavy volume in some precincts.
There are several reasons the GOP vote today could be higher than in 2010:
1 – The spirited Senate race.
2 – The multi-candidate race for Congress in the 5th District.
3 – The contentious race for schools superintendent.
4 – The race for corporation commissioner.
5 – Ideal voting weather.
And, there are some reasons the turnout in some areas won’t be strong:
1 – The lack of a congressional primary in the 1st District.
2 – The lack of a serious challenge to Senator Jim Inhofe.
All of the major campaigns reportedly have aggressive voter turnout efforts underway.
Overall, the lack of interest in Democrat campaigns could dampen total voter turnout. In 2010, 263,688 Democrats voted in the primary election.
“Democratic turnout will be abysmal,” said Keith Gaddie, a University of Oklahoma political science professor speaking to the Tulsa World. “They (Democrats) have a superintendent primary and that is about it.”
The polls close at 7 p.m. The McCarville Report will have returns as soon as they are available.
How’s the voting in your precinct? Let us know: mccarvillereport@aol.com
There are some very contentious races on the local level in Rogers County. I’m expecting voter turnout here to be high.