All Politics Is Local

County Auditors around the state are reporting light turn-out in today’s primaries — but that’s not the case in Johnson County.

Johnson County Auditor J. Patrick White, who’s 67 I believe, announced over a year ago that he would not seek re-election, setting up a huge contest among those who wish to replace him.  White has held the job since 1983, so it’s been a while since Iowa City — which is home to a law school, by the way — has had this kind of opportunity. 

The race has driven turn-out among Johnson County Democrats to levels only exceeded in 1994 when a deluge of Democrats in Johnson County crossed over to vote for Fred Grandy in the Republican primary against Governor Terry Branstad. 

Meanwhile, turn-out in Scott County — home to first congressional district candidate Mike Whalen — is said to be hovering around the 10 percent mark.  Oh, and there were the tornado warnings which shut down voting in Johnson and Linn Counties for about half an hour this afternoon.

Several of the auditors noted that some voters were trying out the touch-screen technology available to assist — primarily — disabled voters.  Mike Blouin told reporters chronicalling his vote-casting today that he was "checkin’ out Chet’s new system" — a reference to rival Chet Culver, the Secretary of State/Commissioner of Elections.  It took forever, according to Radio Iowa reporter Todd Kimm who was on the scene, and Blouin was recorded uttering "Good Grief!" as he was finally able to complete the process. 

Stopped by Camp Nussle just before eight o’clock. Earth, Wind & Fire music was being pumped through the sound system.  Don’t know if that’s a 6/6/6 deal or not.