ELECTION 2008 :

Higher turnout possible as Democrats continue early voting surge

County’s top election official says early voting could reach 380,000

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | 1:13 p.m.

Clark County's top election official sounded surprised.

"We're going to go way over what I predicted," Larry Lomax said just before noon today.

Lomax, the county's registrar of voters, was studying a report he had just run that told him 10,000 more people had voted early in Clark County this morning — bringing the early vote total number up to 319,205.

He had been expecting about 320,000 people to vote early for the Nov. 4 election. But with a day and a half to go before early voting ends Friday night, he's revising that up to 380,000.

"We're going to be way up there," he said. "Normally we get a very, very high turnout on the last day."

Early voting continues today and Friday in 22 locations. And if you plan to vote early, give yourself some time: "You might be waiting in line a half hour," Lomax said.

Lomax had been expecting a total turnout of about 80 percent for Tuesday's election, which would be 640,000 of the county's 815,077 registered voters. Of the total turnout, he was expecting 50 percent to come from early voting, 10 percent to come from mailed-in votes and 40 percent to be from those who vote at their regular polling place on Election Day.

"Obviously, there's a whole lot of interest in this eelction," he said. "It would be hard to imagine a 90 percent turnout, but who knows what will happen."

As the campaigns head into the final stretch, Democrats are still leading the turnout at the voting machines, while Republicans have the edge with the mailed-in votes.

The latest numbers from the county's election department, showed that as of Wednesday night, 309,150 people had cast ballots at early voting polling places. The breakdown was 163,789 Democrats (53 percent), 93,018 Republicans (30 percent) and 52,343 voters with no party affiliation (17 percent).

The election department reported 38,390 people have mailed in their votes: 18,012 Republicans (47 percent), 15,484 Democrats (40 percent) and 4,894 with no party affiliation (13 percent).

County registration figures show Democrats outnumber Republicans 396,910 (48.7 percent) to 261,662 (32.1 percent).

Here's a look at early voting trends in eight contested partisan races as of Wednesday night:

• In the 3rd Congressional District, which features a tight contest between incumbent Republican Jon Porter and Democrat Dina Titus, 87,606 Democrats, 57,700 Republicans and 30,484 voters with no party have cast ballots. For the mail-in votes from that district, 11,011 were Republicans, 8,337 were Democrats and 2,833 were from non-affiliated voters.

• The 2nd Congressional District has a race between incumbent Republican Dean Heller and Democrat Jill Derby. So far, 6,446 Democrats, 4,410 Republican and 2,493 voters with no party have cast ballots. The mailed votes came from 1,223 Republicans, 576 Democrats and 370 non-affiliated voters.

• The County Commission District District A race has a heated race between Republican Brian Scroggins and Democrat Steve Sisolak to take over the seat being vacated by Bruce Woodbury. Independent candidate Scott David Narter is also running. In that district, 33,447 Democrats, 26,658 Republicans and 12,914 voters with no party have cast ballots. The mailed votes came from 4,731 Republicans, 2,854 Democrats and 1,110 voters declaring no party.

• In the state Senate 6th District race, which features a battle between incumbent Republican Bob Beers and Democrat Allison Copening, 11,548 Democrats, 8,554 Republicans and 3,781 voters with no party affiliation have voted so far. The mailed votes in that district came from 1,906 Republicans, 1,482 Democrats and 415 non-affiliated voters.

• The state Senate 5th District race is between Democrat Shirley Breeden and incumbent Republican Joe Heck. In that district, 25,902 Democrats, 18,964 Republicans and 9,445 voters with no party affiliation have voted. Mailed vote: 2,719 Republicans, 1,988 Democrats and 678 non-affiliated.

• State Assembly District 21 features a contest between Republican Jon Ozark and Democrat Ellen Spiegel to represent the Green Valley area district. So far, the early voting turnout has been 5,536 Democrats, 4,287 Republicans and 2,154 voters with no party. Mailed vote: 700 Republicans, 508 Democrats and 156 voters declaring no party.

• The State Assembly District 23 contest is between Democrat Allison Herr and Republican Melissa Woodbury. Early voting shows there have been 4,461 Democrats, 2,849 Republicans and 1,470 voters with no party who have cast ballots. Mailed vote: 536 Democrats, 476 Republicans and 151 voters with no party affiliation.

• State Assembly District 29 features newcomers Sean Fellows, a Republican and Democrat April Mastroluca. As of Wednesday, there were 5,951 Democrats, 3,968 Republicans and 2,180 voters with no party who have voted. Mailed vote: 525 Republicans, 396 Democrats and 148 voters declaring no party.

Discussion: 13 comments so far…

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By animalsrule

Oct. 30, 2008

2:49 p.m.

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If you want Obama to win, copy these links and email them to everyone you know.

People must be made aware of the FACT that Sarah Palin supports the killing of wolf pups, bear cubs, and imperiled polar bears. SHE LOVES TO KILL ANIMALS HERSELF, BUT IS SUPPOSEDLY PRO-LIFE?????

http://www.defendersactionfund.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHCcunc7S...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcDjxpeaD...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srv6AWySQ...
By JanK

Oct. 30, 2008

5 p.m.

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Is this going to become yet another one of the hundreds of counties across the nation who have more registered voters than there are residents over the age of 18?? How active is ACORN and its affiliates in and around Vegas? How vigilant are election officials, poll workers and just plain ordinary citizens who want to preserve free and fair elections?
By revtomperl

Oct. 30, 2008

5:36 p.m.

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Another piece of mis-information being propagated about ACORN which was praised by John McCain. Do you have any evidence? Just the scurrilous comments from false prophets? Ok, so hopefully what will happen is that many people vote instead of the usual apathy. Maybe some would rather have apathy than the participation of flawed humans (all of us) in an imperfect system which is just the best that we have and one of the best in all of human history!
By jab3698

Oct. 30, 2008

5:43 p.m.

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In the chaos leading up to this historic election, there is one theme that has been reverberating across our country. That theme has been the eloquence of a gifted speaker, Barack Obama. Barack can articulate with the stunning expressions of a prophet leading his flock to the Promised Land. Barack has such self-belief that his phrases transcend the ages. Yet, for all his persuasiveness the one thing that I, an interested American and the wife of a small town mayor, amassed is Barack's knack for the melodramatic. I have heard Barack referred to as "no drama Obama", I think this is a misnomer. Barack is in truth tremendously melodramatic.

"Turn the page" is in Barack's latest spiritual homily. "Turn the page" is communicated with the voice of a well practiced lecturer. Again, the melodrama is resonated even in an open air forum. But for all the histrionics the only thought I have assembled is that I have a savior and his name is not Barack Obama.

Another quote by Barack in the International Herald Tribune is "In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election, that tries to pit region against region, city against town and Republican against Democrat, that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope."In one week's time, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need." One thing I do agree with Barack about is that this is indeed a defining moment. My trepidation for our nation is that we do not look beyond the nuances of a fine orator rather my hope for our nation is that we choose our next president with the wisdom our forefathers' bestowed upon us.

Many a nation has been mesmerized by a dynamic personality only to discover that the person designated to lead their nations had neither the knowledge nor experience to be a leader. What those nations fell for was just a facade, a house of cards. Let us learn from history"be a student of history" let us define OUR history. It belongs to us, all of us.

Look beyond the eloquence, look beyond the stunning expressions, look beyond the elegant phrases; to be more precise look beyond the melodrama. Look for the tangible and concrete evidence of a leader. A leader who has acknowledged his shortcomings as well as his virtues, a leader whose very existence has been a lesson in "the audacity of hope". We are one nation no one needs to tell us that. We are a nation of hope no one can take that away from us just by saying it is not so. Elect the person whose example of courage is one that we can be proud of as a nation. Elect John McCain for President of these United States.
By revtomperl

Oct. 30, 2008

8:56 p.m.

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That is true, that Barry is eloquent. Never lose sight of the facts about McCain - he was nearly last in his class at Annapolis - 5th from last is what I have heard. It reverberates with the spirit of a speech that W gave to a Yale graduating class in which he congratulated those who had done well. He then noted that you could be one of them or be a C student and be elected the President of the United States. Unfortunately he may well be grader as lower than a C when the toll is called in a few generations when there will be enough perspective to see these things clearly. McCain was a war hero and a prisoner of war, there is a version that some of this happened because he was not good at what he had done. He has appeared pretty shakey on the campaign trail. I would note the stuff about eloquence and note that it seems to describe Palin who is shallow in her leadership - yes, I know that those who are on the right would attribute those qualities to Barry - yet I think that is not true - yes he hasn't attained relatively old age as McCain has and therefore had lots of experience, but he has attained wisdom and a youthful zest. You draw your conclusions - do you drive by looking in the rear view mirror or by looking ahead. I worked with a lot of small town mayors at one point as a federal official and they belonged in small towns and likely in small states. Keep some perspective here. Move on, move forward, follow Barry and Joe. I would rather have a Libertarian - but that is not likely - so vote with your head and move forward!
By jab3698

Oct. 31, 2008

7:27 a.m.

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I choose the candidate with a substantive record that INCLUDES a lifetime of accomplishment through 2008. I am not saying Barack should not be president, just not yet. Barack should build a resume with concrete credentials. I admire his idealism and eloquence, but for me, I need to vote for a candidate with more practical experience. Right NOW that candidate is John McCain.
By johnevegas

Oct. 31, 2008

7:54 a.m.

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jab3698 - "...to be more precise look beyond the melodrama.

Good advice. I've been doing that with McCain and Palin too. Unfortunately, there is nothing much beyond the fear tactics and character assassinations to look at.

They both seem very shallow, especially Sarah. In fact I would say that Sarah has nothing to offer whatsoever except a wink and a smile. McCain is very old and tired now and looks like is developing Alzheimers symptoms.

Constantly berating their opponent as where the real truth lies. Literally! If your story is so good, then why do you have to pretend the other guy is a monster? Somebody who would see and say those things about a decent human being is someone who you should not trust!
By Guankung

Oct. 31, 2008

9:01 p.m.

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Promises are Free...Does anyone remember a President Promising us a Middle Class tax cut before then getting elected and saying it couldn't be done? Does anyone remember his wife promising Universal health Care in the first one hundred Days..and that was never done?

Don't buy the Obama lies about his tax plan!
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/1...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12238565...
http://morewhat.com/wordpress/?p=3299
By vegasj

Nov. 1, 2008

4:19 a.m.

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The NRA will have the last word in NV!!!

NOBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By lisa80268

Nov. 1, 2008

4:32 a.m.

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We voted first chance we got! hey people... why do you cling to your guns? Why so insecure? So scary-- How exactly will the NRA have the last word.. are they going to shoot all Democrats? You psycho!
By lisa80268

Nov. 1, 2008

4:37 a.m.

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Question-- even though someone is registered doesn't mean they can vote--I had to show ID! Didn't the rest of you--so this is a total non-issue. if you offer people money per sign up--yep..they are going to cheat.
By johnevegas

Nov. 1, 2008

5:24 a.m.

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"Does anyone remember a President Promising us a Middle Class tax cut before then getting elected and saying it couldn't be done?

I'm sorry you are unable to formulate an original thought. Perhaps if you help us elect a president who expects you to think instead of one who assumes you don't, you could be more helpful to yourself and others.
By johnevegas

Nov. 1, 2008

6:07 a.m.

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vegasj "The NRA will have the last word in NV!"

What are they going to do? Shoot all the Californians who moved here in the last four years?

Seriously, give Utah some thought. I'll let you borrow my truck for the move. I'll even rent a gun rack for the back window.