Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Primary election turnout in Tuesday’s primary election was tepid compared to past presidential election cycles.
The primary, which was closed to all but registered Democrats and Republicans, saw just 31.7 percent of the county’s 394,279 registered voters casting their ballots. Voters participated through mail-in ballots, drop boxes, and in-person voting.
This year’s primary lacked many competitive races that typically energize the electorate.
Turnout in the 2020 primary reached 34 percent.
The 2016 primary saw an even higher participation rate at 41.2 percent.
In contrast, the 2012 primary drew only 17 percent of registered voters.
Turnout was slightly higher in the 2008 primary when 36.5 percent of voters participated.
In 2004, 22.6 percent of voters came out to vote in the primary.
Primary elections in Pennsylvania restrict voting to members of the Democratic and Republican parties, who can only select candidates within their registered party.
