Why was voter turnout down compared to 2004?
It seems like this story got sucked up by a black hole in the euphoria of Obama's landslide victory:

Experts confounded: Turnout higher in Ohio in 2004
Friday, November 7, 2008 3:20 AM
By Mark Niquette

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Despite a record number of registered voters this year, intense interest in the presidential election and the historic outcome, Ohio's voter turnout was lower Tuesday than in 2004, unofficial statistics show.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is reporting 67 percent turnout, compared with 72 percent in 2004. She had been predicting 80 percent turnout this time.

The percentage could increase as provisional ballots, overseas ballots and other outstanding votes are included during the official canvass in the coming weeks.

But overall turnout still is expected to be lower than in 2004, leaving experts at a loss to explain it -- especially because the number of registered voters increased by 319,000 from four years ago.

"That's rather puzzling, given the activity level," said Paul Beck, a political-science professor at Ohio State University.

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/11/07/copy/turnout.ART_ART_11-07-08_A1_4GBQO6M.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

I skimmed the latest article by Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman and I didn't see where they directly confronted why turnout was down this year:

http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/19/2008/3294

To me, it just doesn't add up why turnout would be lower considering all the new voter registrations. Did an non-existent army of Bushies vote in 2004 under former SOS Ken Blackwell's watchful eye?

Reader Comments
  
Premature
By User from Columbus, OH Nov 19th 2008 at 7:50 pm EST (Updated Nov 19th 2008 at 7:50 pm EST)
In absolute numbers, compared to 2004, Democratic turnout was up. Republican turnout was down. The unofficial numbers quoted by Niquette don't include many provisional ballots and absentees.

The percent turnout numbers are a lot fuzzier and depend on the quality of the voter lists.
  



Video: Cordray, Boyce Swearing In Ceremonies
By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Jan 8, 07:01 PM
Comments (0)
Join the Impact- Ohio Statewide Rally for Equality on Jan 10th
By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Jan 8, 05:26 PM
Comments (0)
Husted Continues To Claim He Lives In Kettering: Apparently Doesn't Shower Or Flush The Toilet Much There
By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Jan 8, 02:23 PM
Comments (1)
2009: TESTING A TOE IN MURKY WATERS
By: Gray Hunter, Licking County Pro-Active Citizens
Posted Jan 8, 02:26 PM
Comments (0)
Prosecutors Bully Ohio Voters: Ohio Election Justice Campaign Calls for Day of Silence on January 6, 2009
By: Ohio Election Justice Campaign
Posted Jan 6, 04:10 PM
Comments (0)
1580 AM WVKO
By: User from Westerville, OH
Posted Jan 6, 12:10 PM
Comments (4)
He's lying
With a face like that, he showers twice daily, then buffs hi...
The Importance of Education..
It’s nice to hear this news! For us to have a better f...
Re: And the difference between...
Gee Jill, I guess I'd have to know which "bloggers" you're r...
And the difference between...
bloggers and Joe the Journalist is what exactly?
Faith-based silliness
How sad that organizations like the Ohio Christian Alliance ...

Login
Don't have an account yet?
Create Account























Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz




Enter your Email