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Minnesota primary racks up meager 9 percent turnout

Photo: james steidl, Photos.com

Aug 16, 2012 at 8:43 am

ST. PAUL, MN (AP) - Only 9 percent of eligible voters participated in Minnesota's primary.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie reported the figure Wednesday. He had predicted in the lead-up to Tuesday's primary that it was likely to draw fewer than 15 percent of eligible voters.

It was only the second time that Minnesota held its primary election in August, since moving it up from September to give military and overseas voters more time to vote in the general election. Some state lawmakers have advocated moving it even earlier to June, arguing that many Minnesotans are on vacation in August and not tuned in to politics.

Despite the low figure, it's not the smallest turnout ever for a Minnesota primary. In 2004, fewer than 8 percent of eligible voters participated in that year's primary.