Citizens slow to cast ballots

Turnout is low after the first six days of early voting in the primary election, according to the Clark County Election Department.

At the end of voting Thursday, nearly 17,000 county voters had cast ballots, a turnout of 2.4 percent of active voters.

An additional 7,600 mail ballots had been received, for a total of more than 24,000 votes, or 3.5 percent of the county electorate.

The early voting period is 14 days. Votes can be cast at malls, stores and government buildings through Aug. 8. Election Day is Aug. 12.

Officials estimate turnout for the primary could be as low as 15 percent when all is said and done.

This year's turnout is markedly lower than in 2006, when 27,500 people voted early during the first six days in Clark County. That election featured contested primaries in both parties for their gubernatorial nominations, while this year's primary features no high-profile races.

Turnout in this primary is also below 2004 levels, when 26,800 ballots were cast in the first six days. Total turnout in the county in the 2004 primary was 25 percent. In 2006, county turnout was 27 percent.

Turnout tends to rise as early voting proceeds, with the largest number of early voters casting ballots on the last day of early voting in both 2004 and 2006.

Two years ago, total turnout for early voting in the primary was 13 percent, with 12 percent of voters casting ballots on Election Day and 2 percent by mail.

Statewide, turnout has also been low, according to the secretary of state's office: 2.7 percent over the first six days, a total of just over 28,000 voters.

Of the 16,855 Clark County voters who went to the polls in the first six days of voting, 8,700 were Democrats, 6,500 were Republicans and 1,600 nonpartisans.

The deadline to register to vote in the primary was July 22.

At the close of primary registration, there were almost 61,000 more Democrats than Republicans on the state's active voter rolls, according to new data released by the secretary of state's office Friday.

Democrats' edge in voter registration, which has been climbing steadily for more than a year, increased from 55,560 at the end of June to 60,670 through July 22. The state's 1.1 million voters are now 43 percent Democrat and 38 percent Republican.

The gap between the parties in the 3rd Congressional District, where the race for the seat currently held by Republican Jon Porter is one of the hottest in the country, stands at 25,411 more Democrats than Republicans.

Those wishing to vote absentee face a Tuesday deadline to request a mail-in ballot. The request must be made in writing using a form available at the Election Department or on its Web site, www.access clarkcounty.com/elections, and must be received by the department via fax, mail or hand delivery by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

To be counted, mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.