Monday, September 13th 2010, 2:19 pm
By Nathan Elliott, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A record number of Republican voters turned out for Oklahoma's primary elections, according to data compiled by American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate.
On the other hand, a record low number of Oklahoma Democrats came to the polls in July and August races.
VOTER TURNOUT HIGHS & LOWS
New Record | Old Record | |
Democrats | 9.37% (2010) | 10.4% (2006) |
Republicans | 9.61% (2010) | 8.06% (1974) |
Across the nation, the average Republican vote for statewide offices exceeded the Democratic vote in mid-term primaries for the first time since 1930, according to Curtis Gans, director of AU's Center.
"Given the intense intramural battles within the Republican party and the growing belief that because of sour economic conditions and the opportunity they present for GOP gains in both houses of Congress and in the states, it isn't surprising that Republican turnout increased," Gans said.
"But what's likely to prove telling is the lower participation of the Democrats, the first tangible demonstration of what polls have been showing– a distinct lack of enthusiasm among the Democratic rank and file."
"With no prospect of an economic turnaround before November...it seems highly likely that the Democrats will suffer major losses," Gans said.
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