Election Wrap: Off-year election turnout highest in last 10 years

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, 11:30 p.m. — Voter turnout in Nelson County in Tuesday’s General Election was 50.49%, which was slightly higher than the statewide average of 48.93%.

While Nelson County’s turnout topped 50 percent, which was decidedly higher than three neighboring counties of Marion (45.67 %), Hardin (43.93%) and Bullitt (47.42%), it was essentially the same as in LaRue County (50.17%), fell below the turnout in Washington (58.23%), Spencer (59.38%) and Anderson (53.55%) counties.

The county with the highest turnout in Central Kentucky was Taylor County, where 61.24 % of voters went to the polls. Taylor was also the county with the second-highest turnout statewide, topped only by Magoffin County, where 61.47 % of voters cast their votes in Tuesday’s election.

The Kentucky county with the lowest voter turnout was Elliott County in Eastern Kentucky, with 30.01%.

HISTORIC TURNOUT. Off-year General Elections seldom generate as much interest nationally or locally as this year’s did. Locally, the election signaled a shift away from just four years ago, when all of the county races were decided by the results of the May Primary. A growing number of Republicans challenged Democrats, as did three independents in races for county offices.

Voter interest was significantly higher in this off-year election than in previous off-year elections going back 10 years.

In 2006 the General Election turnout in Nelson County was 40.08%, which was higher than the 2002 turnout of 35.39%.

Presidential election years typically see the greatest interest and turnout in the county. Turnout in Nelson County was 63.39 percent in 2008; in 2004, voter turnout was 63.9 percent; and in 2000 it was 60.43%.

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