News

Voter turnout soars

More county residents went to the polls in 2008 than in 2004

By Colin DeVries

GREENE COUNTY — There are several facets of this year’s general election that have made it a historical one.

America elected it’s first African-American president, the GOP nominated its first female vice presidential candidate, and voter turnout reached new heights all across the nation.

In Greene County, the young vote was strong this year compared to the 2004 general election when Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry and vice presidential nominee Sen. John Edwards opposed incumbent Republicans President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

According to official election results from 2004, there were a total of four — yes, four — votes in the 18 to 21 age group. In 2008, unofficial results report that 912 votes were cast among 18 to 21-year-olds.

The comparisons continue their ascension from there, as most age groups reported increased turnouts in 2008 compared to 2004. The 75 and older crowd was the only group to report a decrease of votes cast.

Age group comparisons in voter turnout from 2004 to 2008 are as follows: 18 to 21 — Four votes in 2004; 912 votes in 2008; 22 to 24 — 461 votes in 2004; 619 votes in 2008; 25 to 34 — 1,456 votes in 2004; 2,055 votes in 2008; 35 to 44 — 2,758 votes in 2004; 3,471 votes in 2008; 45 to 54 — 4,234 votes in 2004; 4,943 votes in 2008; 55 to 64 — 4,136 votes in 2004; 4,709 votes in 2008; 65 to 74 — 2,945 votes in 2004; 3,254 votes in 2008; 75 and over — 2,610 votes in 2004; 2,496 votes in 2008.

The unofficial total of votes cast throughout Greene County this year was 22,459. That is an increase of 3,855 votes from the 2004 total of 18,604.

The total number of registered voters also increased, from 23,311 in 2004 to 29,297 in 2008. The amount of registered Democrats increased to 7,116 from 5,230, and registered Republicans increased to 12,533 to 10,904.

While the turnout percentage among registered voters in 2008 is roughly 76.7 percent, the percentage of votes cast among Greene County residents is 46.6 percent.

Reader Comments

Submit a Comment