Tom Kacich's normally excellent Wednesday NG columns are usually not available online. However, today's column, discussing yesterday's results, is here:
It's the first time Democratic voters have outnumbered Republican voters in a primary election in the county in at least 70 years, if ever. Eight years ago, in the last presidential primary where there was no incumbent president on the ballot, Republican voters outnumbered Democrats, 21,308 to 11,762. The previous peak for Democratic primary voters was 17,110 in 1992. The Republican record is 21,308 in 2000.
Tuesday's overall turnout of 39,055 voters, including 173 Green Party voters, also was a record, improving on the previous high of nearly 34,000 voters in 2000.
Several precincts in the county ran short of Democratic ballots, and freshly printed sheets had to be rushed to the polls. A precinct in Savoy where four years ago Republicans outnumbered Democrats, 272-161, had the tables turned Tuesday. Democrats this time outpolled Republicans, 353-271.
The numbers he highlights point to the conclusion I drew here: yesterday's record Democratic turnout wasn't a result of Republicans pulling Democratic ballots as much as it was independents pulling Democratic ballots. Of course, that's still not much comfort to Republicans.
Kacich also touches on the Urbana Parks referendum and some other topics. Read the whole thing.
It's the first time Democratic voters have outnumbered Republican voters in a primary election in the county in at least 70 years, if ever.
In March 17, 1992 primary in Champaign County, the percentage was 57-43 Democrat over Republican turnout.
Heh.
Nice catch, Matt.
In my notes, not only do I show the 17,100-12,949 dem/repub split in 1992 that Matt pointed out, but also 17,416-14,298 in 1984 and 18,160-8,836 in 1972. Do I have these numbers wrong, or is there something about Kacich's statement that we are missing?
Mene, mene. Tekel. Upharsin.
The hand writeth, and having written, moves on.
*
Anthony Martin-Trigona carried 35 counties?
Way to go, Illinois voters. [cringe]
Anthony Martin-Trigona carried 35 counties? Way to go, Illinois voters. [cringe]
Goes to show (1) the shortness of the average voter's attention span and (2) how many voters make a selection based on the "nice" sound of a name like "Andy Martin".
I visited the web site of all three senate candidates (Psak, Sauerberg? and Andy Martin) and decided
on the basis of the information available that Andy Martin was the best choice by far.
Your next senator from Illinois is going to be the same Democrat who holds that office now.
Why doesnt Illinois have any Republican Candidates?
No doubt there is a serious problem in the "leadership" of the
Republican party. Of course the 1st step in fixing a problem is recognizing
that there is a problem. The 2nd step is deciding if the problem is worth fixing...
if there is any benefit from fixing the problem. Illinois Republicans have become
so much like Democrats that even if some see the problem they cant see the
benefit.
In March 17, 1992 primary in Champaign County, the percentage was 57-43 Democrat over Republican turnout.
When has the news-gazette ever let something as trivial as "facts" get in the way of publishing something?
"No doubt there is a serious problem in the "leadership" of the Republican party. Of course the 1st step in fixing a problem is recognizing that there is a problem."
Really? If only someone on here had written about that before...
I write and email the State party all the time on this very issue--no doubt they think I'm some kind of fruitcake because I never receive a response, and I certainly can't point to any leadership that the Illinois GOP is exhibiting.