Registrar: Early voting draws more to the polls than in 2004

By Dave Clark (contact)

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | midnight

Early voting turnout in Clark County has vastly exceeded the pace of the 2004 presidential election, Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said.

During the first 10 days, 242,000 people voted in Clark County, compared with 159,000 in 2004.

"It always increases as we approach the end of early voting," Lomax said. "It's always busier the second week than the first."

He projected that roughly 350,000 voters would cast their ballots early or by mail this year — half the total he thinks will vote.

"In our elections, typically half the people vote early," he said. "This year it may be a little higher."

Staffing polling places, he said, has remained a challenge, but he added that there have been no unreasonable lines.

"We're working hard to get them through," he said.

Another trend evidenced in early voting is the turnout of registered Democrats dominating Republicans — 131,622 to 70,425 through Oct. 27.

The gap, although less pronounced, extends to Henderson, where 21,500 Democrats and 16,131 Republicans had voted by Oct. 27. About 34 percent of active registered voters in Henderson had turned out by Oct. 27, according to county records. Active Democrats barely outnumber active Republicans in Henderson, 53,911 to 53,328.

In Boulder City the numbers of Democrats and Republicans voting early were roughly even, despite a large edge for Republicans in registration. As of Oct. 27, 1,025 Democrats and 1,110 Republicans had voted. Active Republicans number 4,867, compared with 3,395 Democrats.

In competitive area races, 70,583 Democrats and 43,627 Republicans had turned out in the 3rd Congressional District, where Republican U.S. Rep. Jon Porter is locked in a tight battle for re-election against Democrat State Sen. Dina Titus.

The early voter turnout numbers for other key area races are:

Clark County Commission District A, where Democrat Steve Sisolak faces Republican Brian Scroggins: 26,453 Democrats and 19,673 Republicans. Registration in the district runs nearly even.

State Senate District 5 where first-term incumbent Republican Joe Heck faces Democrat Shirley Breeden: 20,910 Democrats and 14,382 Republicans.

State Assembly District 21, where Republican Jon Ozark faces Democrat Ellen Spiegel: 4,534 Democrats and 3,220 Republicans.

State Assembly District 23 where Democrat Allison Herr faces Republican Melissa Woodbury: 3,634 Democrats and 2,170 Republicans.

State Assembly District 29, where Republican Sean Fellows faces Democrat April Mastroluca: 4,799 Democrats and 3,024 Republicans.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or dave.clark@hbcpub.com.