Election judges count and recount ballot envelopes in each of the 12 Cook County precincts, ensuring that all the ballots are ready for entry into the M100 ballot counter in the Cook County auditor’s office. Election judges Warren Anderson and Jean Mathis are ready to turn their ballots from the Colvill precinct in for automated counting. Carol Tveekrem and Jan Dillon, who counted the Grand Portage precinct, wait for their turn.
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 that more than 580,000 eligible Minnesota voters participated in Minnesota’s first August primary. The number is based on preliminary results reported by local election officials. Ritchie indicated that the percentage of voters casting ballots was more than 15 percent of Minnesota’s eligible voter population of 3.8 million. This figure includes a record number of absentee ballots, over 31,000. These totals will continue to change as reporting is completed from St. Louis and Carlton counties and updated results are posted for Wright County where electronic transmission difficulties were experienced.
In Cook County, 1,756 voters of 3,535 registered voters came out for the primary or 50% of registered voters.
“Despite heat, humidity and severe weather, Minnesotans made sure their voices were heard,” Ritchie said. “While turnout in primaries is always lower than general elections, turnout exceeded all expectations and made this earlier primary a big success. Excellent coverage by the media plus spirited campaigning in the DFL Governor’s race were two of the major factors in this unexpectedly high turnout.”
Election results remain unofficial until the State Canvassing Board certifies results on Tuesday, Aug. 17.
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