Early primary voter turnout heavy

Turnout for early and absentee voting in Douglas County for Tuesday's primary is leading the statewide average by nearly 4 percent, according to the Nevada Secretary of State's Office.

Early voting this year is also ahead of previous early voting for primaries, including 50 percent ahead of 2008 and 25 percent ahead of the 2006 primary.

Clerk-Treasurer Ted Thran said moving the primary to June appears to be increasing turnout.

"I think we're going to be higher than in previous primaries."

According to figures appearing on the Secretary of State's Web site, 19.34 percent of Douglas voters cast their ballots either by voting early or by mail. That put the county in the middle of the pack.

Clerks have received 1,048 absentee ballots so far, which is more than the 700 received in earlier elections, according to Thran.

"That's way above average," he said.

Absentee ballots may be mailed or delivered to polling locations, the clerk's office or put in either of the clerk's drop boxes up until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Voters must cast ballots at their precinct on Election Day.

The Record-Courier's publishing deadline is 8:30 p.m., so early voting and absentee results will be available in Wednesday's edition. For full results visit The Record-Courier Web site at www.recordcourier.com.

Precinct by precinct results will be available in the newspaper's Friday edition.