Most ballots remain out as Election Day arrives

As ballots trickle in for today’s primary election, the numbers reflect some of the worst voter turnout in recent memory.

As of Monday, about 14.5 percent of voters had turned in their ballots. Looking back to 2001, that’s the lowest turnout Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey has seen leading up to a primary election.

“We certainly wish more people would exercise their right to participate in government,” Kimsey said. “These local races have a direct impact on people.”

Kimsey expects the number of ballots to climb today, bringing the total up to about 20 percent of registered voters casting ballots.

That low turnout is similar to results from previous odd-year primaries when there is no presidential race or other high-profile — and often highly partisan — contests for federal and state offices.

Turnout also tends to be lower during primaries versus general elections.

A primary election will narrow down the number of candidates but won’t elect a candidate — that comes in November during the general election.

Kimsey also said the turnout percentage also can take a hit after presidential elections because those years typically spur an increase in the number of registered voters that remains high into the next year.

Turnout isn’t the only thing taking a hit this year, though. Last week, The Columbian found also that the funding for this election was also low in the races for Vancouver mayor and city council.

Vancouver City Council member Jack Burkman thought that was partly because the races aren’t as competitive as they have been in recent years.

Burkman keeps track of the yearly election data and pointed out that 1 out of 5 people choose who can participate in the general election.

“People just aren’t paying attention,” Burkman said. “A lot of people are just turned off with politics in general.”