Politics & Government
Polls Closing: Turnout 'Way Up' from 2008
As the final votes are cast, election judges in Burnsville say voters showed up in greater numbers than even the record-breaking election in 2008.
If the anecdotal evidence is to be believed, 2012 has even 2008 beat, in terms of voter turnout.
With less than an hour left on the clock, activity was still brisk at Burnhaven Library, Burnsville City Hall and Eden Baptist Church. Officials there estimated that about 80 percent of the registered voters came out to the polls.
"It's way up. When you look at that versus last time—which was about 71 percent— it's a huge difference," said Susan Bastian, one of two head judges at Burnhaven. "And that's not even counting new voters."
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In spite of the uptick in traffic, all went smoothly and according to plan, though there was a little confusion about the location of the polls. Bastian said there were a number of people who had to be redirected to the correct post-redistricting precinct. Otherwise, there was very little hassle and very little wait. Bastian said the longest anyone had to stand in line to vote was 15 minutes.
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