Politics & Government

'Predictably Slow' Turnout at Burke Precincts on Tuesday

There were no long lines – and very few voters – at Burke-area precincts Tuesday morning when polls opened for the Virginia Democratic Primary Election.

Residents were almost nowhere to be found at voting precincts around Burke Tuesday morning for what election officers have described as a slow, but predictable start to Virginia's 2013 Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

Voters will choose between lieutenant governor candidates Aneesh Chopra and Ralph Northam and attorney general hopefuls Justin Fairfax and Mark Herring.

  • Read: Virginia Democratic Primary 2013: Where to Vote in Burke

"[This morning's turnout] is typical for a one party primary," said Henry Clarke, chief election officer for precinct 125 Signal Hill. "If we had two parties voting at the same time, there would be more people."

Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lake Braddock Secondary School serves as the voting location for two precincts, Precinct 118 Lake Braddock and Precinct 125 Signal Hill. As of 10:20 a.m., 24 people voted at Signal Hill and 24 voted at Lake Braddock.

Over at precinct 127 Burke Centre in the Commons Community Center, located at 5701 Roberts Pkwy., the turnout was just slightly higher. Chief Election Officer David Young said 37 people had voted as of 10:40 a.m.

Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I had my first voter show up at 6:45 a.m. this morning, which is very unusual," Young said. "I am used to seeing at least three to four die-hard voters waiting at the door by the time the polls open, so I was quite surprised."

Young predicts the Burke Centre precinct could reach 100 voters by the time polls close, but added he wouldn't expect to exceed that number by much.

The last time Virginia had a June statewide primary was 2009—that year, R. Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran were all gunning to be on the Democrats' ticket for governor. Jody Wagner and A. Michael Signer were running for lieutenant governor, and there were several down-ballot primaries for both Democrats and Republicans.

Voter turnout for the Democrat's primary in 2009 (based on votes for governor) was lower than 6.5 percent statewide. The highest voter turnout rate was in the Republican primary for a House of Delegates position (District 55) northwest of Richmond with 13.5 percent voter turnout.

The last time Virginia had a June primary with only lieutenant governor and attorney general on the ballot—similar to this year— was in 2001. That year, fewer than 165,000 people voted in Virginia—a voter turnout rate of approximately 4.2 percent, according to the Virginia State Board of Elections.

Beth Lawton contributed to this report.

Tell us, Burke: Did you vote this morning? Why or why not? Weigh in by leaving a comment.


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