Primary Election Turnout Low… Special Primaries Even Lower
A special primary election took place Tuesday for the Minnesota House District 34B seat held by the late state Rep. Melissa Hortman. (Polls scheduled to close at 8 p.m.) There were three candidates for DFL voters to choose from.
Hortman shot and killed along with her husband, Mark, on June 14. The seat represents parts of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids.
DFL voters had to decide between Christian Eriksen, Xp Lee and Erickson Saye. CCX spoke with the three candidates last week to learn their priorities. The winner of the primary will face Republican candidate Ruth Bittner.
Brooklyn Park City Clerk Devin Montero said these elections are important.
“We also need to get that seat filled quickly. I’m not sure after the September election when that candidate is going to get sworn in, but we want to make sure that District 34B does not go unrepresented,” Montero said.
Historically, primaries bring a low turnout. Special election primaries even more-so. Montero said in the last special primary involving Brooklyn Park voters, Senate District 46 in 2011, only 7.3 percent of voters turned out. Fifteen percent of voters turned out to that special election.
This year, Montero feels the turnout will be similar.
“I’m forecasting between a 7-10% turnout for the special primary,” Montero said.
As of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Montero said 5.1% of the voters had turned out.
To find more information about the primary, upcoming special election and where you can vote, visit the Secretary of State’s website.
A voter checks in with an election judge at the Edinbrook Church polling place. On Tuesday morning while the CCX crew was there, only a few voters passed through.
