Voter turnout already higher than usual in most counties for primary elections
Jun 21, 2018, 2:47 PM | Updated: Jun 24, 2020, 8:33 am
FILE: Early voting opened for in-person voters in Salt Lake County during the mid-term election in 2018. In 2020, dates for early voting vary county by county. (Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News)
(Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Early voting is underway for Utah’s 2018 primary elections, and some counties are already reporting above average turnout.
As of today, Salt Lake County has nearly a 32-percent turnout with more than 80,000 ballots received.
“That’s excellent for this point in time for a primary,” says Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen.
In comparison, the overall statewide 2016 primary turnout for both parties was only 27-percent. “So we’re way ahead of it,” says Swensen.
The U.S. Senate race is generating enthusiasm in voters. “With Mitt Romney and Mike Kennedy, that’s a high-profile race,” Swensen says.
The convenience of vote-by-mail is also driving high turnout numbers. Swensen says, “It’s so simple.”
Utah, Davis, and Weber counties have all received an average number of ballots so far.
Cache County was delayed in sending out their mail-in ballots.
