Turnout slipping slightly, but an otherwise 'smooth primary'

The office of Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Park Hills) is reporting that voter turnout is slightly declining as primary election day moves forward.

Grayson's office initially estimated Democratic turnout would hit 25 to 30 percent, but actual voting numbers could fall short. 

"We are hearing the steadiness is kind of falling off," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Les Fugate. "Its possible we may not reach those targets."

Even if those figures are not reached, turnout will still likely surpass that of the 2004 primary, when 14 percent of Democrats voted. Kentucky's presidential primary is contested this year for the first time in decades, and the campaigns of Democratic candidates Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) have been running extensive get-out-the-vote efforts. 

Fugate said Republican turnout was estimated to hit 15 percent, statewide - an "absolute floor" for Republican voters in the state.

There are few high-profile Republican races in the state. Kentucky's 3rd and 6th Congressional Districts have contested Republican primaries, and presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain (R-Ariz.) faces just Congressman Ron Paul (R-Tex.) in their party's less-publicized presidential race.

Earlier reports of a possible "coordinated effort" to spread misinformation about voting have yielded few further complaints. Grayson's office dispatched a release rejecting the rumor that those who do not vote in today's primary cannot vote in November's general election.

Those reports will likely be turned over to the Attorneys General of the Commonwealth and the United States, said Fugate.

Fugate said there were few reports of violations throughout the state, with the exception of reports of electioneering violations, including the proximity of campaign materials to polling locations.

There were some reports from some precints in Louisville that poll workers were allowing voters to wear Obama's campaign materials into voting locations, but not voters wearing Clinton material, according to Fugate, but these reports could not be confirmed by the Secretary's office.

Fugate said the calls could have just been people "calling in to complain," but noted that no campaign materials should be allowed in voting locations.

With those exceptions, the election sounds to be running well.

"Thus far, its been a pretty smooth primary," said Fugate. "We are looking to get turnout up in the last few hours."