Republicans turning out slightly more than Democrats after third day of early voting

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 | 7:13 a.m.

The Democrats continue to lead in the raw numbers in Clark, but the GOP is marginally extending its lead in turning out its voters and Republicans are turning out better in Washoe County, although not by a lot.

In Clark on Monday, the third day of early voting, 7,755 Democrats turned out compared to 6,721 Republicans. That brings the totals to: 21,678 Democrats, 18,037 Republicans and 7,084 independents.

Here’s how that compares relative to their registration totals:

Democrats: 6.5 percent turnout

Republicans: 7.4 percent turnout

In absentee ballots, where Republican usually do well, the Democrats are maintaining a solid lead:5,075-4,036

So combined totals:

Democrats: 8.0 percent turnout

Republicans: 9.2 percent turnout

So a 1.2 percent turnout advantage in Clark after three days, almost a fourth of the data in. That does extrapolate to a 5 or 6 percent lead by Election Day, which would not be unusual for a midterm. But if that happens, it would mean the Democrats would have to hold their own on Election Day to have a normal turnout disadvantage for an off-year election.

Adding in Washoe numbers (4,350 for Democrats and 5,149 for Republicans) and total urban turnout (absentees not included for Washoe):

Democrats: 31,103, or 7.4 percent

Republicans: 27,551, or 8.3 percent

So, so far, nothing out of the ordinary for a midterm.