May 09, 2008 09:49 am
—
Voter turnout in Franklin County was heavy, county Republican Party Chairman John Worth, Posey Township, reported at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, before any results were announced.
People flocked to the polls “with all the interest this year” in the presidential race. “Indiana’s primary made a difference” for the first time since 1968, when Bobby Kennedy was campaigning here a month before his assassination.
“I think Clinton will probably carry Indiana,” Worth rightfully predicted.
But Hillary Clinton as the Democratic presidential candidate didn’t triumph in all area precincts. While she did win in Ripley County over Barack Obama by 68 percent to 32 percent, Obama beat her at two Batesville voting sites, Adams 3 by one vote, 113-112, and also in Laughery Ward 3 Precinct 2 by a tally of 83-68 to gain 55 percent.
The overall result was almost identical in Franklin County. Clinton defeated Obama 69 percent to 31 percent and carried all but one of 24 precincts. In Batesville 1, with four Democratic voters, each came up with two – a tie.
Ripley County’s voter participation was 33 percent, almost double the 18 percent who cast ballots in the 2004 primary.
The site with the highest percentage was Center Township Precinct 1 in Osgood with 49 percent. Auditor Mary Ann McCoy, who is running for clerk, reported, “The voter turnout was pretty good in Center Township when I was there.”
Laughery Township Ward 3 Precinct 1, voting at the Batesville public library, had the lowest number at 23 percent.
Laughery Township Ward 1 Precinct 1 inspector Kevin Macke thought the amount of voters was “lighter than expected.” A lot more Democratic ballots were cast than usual, he said.
That precinct’s judge, Margie Wilhelm, was shocked at the low turnout (33.1 percent), calling it “terrible.” She noted, “Republicans figured it just didn’t matter” this time around.
Johnson Township Precinct 1 inspector Amy Copeland thought the voter turnout in Versailles was “pretty good” (31.8 percent). Precinct judge Danny Creigmile also revealed the number of Democratic and Republican ballots cast were very close in number.
The turnout in Franklin County was slightly less, 31.4 percent. Nevertheless, that figure was much higher than 2004’s 16.4 percent and 2000’s 19 percent.
With 41 percent of registered voters showing up, Brookville 2 boasted the best number. The lowest participation, at 21.9 percent, occurred in Posey Township, located in the far northwest corner of the county.
Brookville 4 poll workers “were hoping for 300” voters, reported inspector Martha Shea. The turnout was just six shy for 29.8 percent.
“We had a good turnout” (34.8 percent) despite the voting list not being purged so dead citizens appeared on it, said Bath Township judge Bill Haas. “The majority (66 of 102 voters) took Democratic ballots,” which was unusual, added clerk Hollie Sintz.
Inspector Sherry Chandler termed the Metamora turnout “pretty light.” It totalled 30.7 percent.
While Highland 2’s total was 35.9 percent, inspector Dennis Fritz reported, “We had over 40 percent of eligible voters (some on the list had moved away), which we thought was good for a primary.”
Oldenburg Corp. inspector Cindy Ziemke estimated 40 percent of those who registered voted, close to the actual figure of 39.7 percent. Her theory for the great showing? “Because we never have an opportunity to vote in a presidential primary where it counts. A large percentage of the voting was Democratic – by far.” Of 248 cards cast, 203 were Democratic.
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