Secretary of State predicts 27 percent turnout for Nebraska primary

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10329699

Published Thursday May 8, 2008
Secretary of State predicts 27 percent turnout for Nebraska primary
BY LESLIE REED
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — Secretary of State John Gale said a lack of high-visibility races and a limited slate of county offices on Tuesday's ballot probably will keep turnout relatively low.

Gale today predicted a modest turnout — 27 percent — for the primary election.

Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps is going even lower, predicting a 20 percent turnout in Douglas County.

"I'd rather be optimistic than gloomy, but this obviously is not going to be an impressive turnout for a variety of reasons," Gale said.

However, there appears to be more excitement on the Democratic side. Since January, Democrats have picked up nearly 14,000 more registered voters in Nebraska while Republicans have lost nearly 5,000, Gale said.

Current voter registration in Nebraska stands at slightly more than 1.1 million. The GOP accounts for 550,581, or 49 percent of the total. Democrats, with 372,864, account for 33 percent. The balance are independents (184,437) and small parties (9,609).

FULL story at link.