City Clerk: Primary Voter Turnout Expected To Be Especially Low This Year
Voters in the northwest metro went to the polls Tuesday to trim the field of candidates for the November general election.
That narrowing of the field includes nonpartisan city council races to high-profile primary races such as the Democratic Fifth Congressional District race between incumbent U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and challenger Don Samuels.
However, primary elections aren’t known for their voter turnout and this year even fewer voters are expected at the polls.
Brooklyn Park City Clerk Devin Montero said he expects half the voter turnout compared to the 2020 primary election.
“I did some checks for in 2020 we had a high voter turnout, we had about 23 percent voter turnout. Today I anticipate about a 10 to 12 percent voter turnout,” said Brooklyn Park City Clerk Devin Montero.
In 2020, there was four parties with contested races, said Montero. This year, there are two. In addition to the Omar-Samuels Democratic primary, there’s a Republican primary race for U.S. Senate involving eight candidates.
As for city races in Brooklyn Park, there’s only one primary to trim a field of candidates running for city council to represent the city’s Central District.
Montero said the fewer number of races could be contributing to the lower turnout.
If you are interested in participating in the November general election, Montero said the city will be needing more volunteers and election judges.
Ellie Tulkki reporting
