Voter turnout in this year’s primary election fell in line with figures from previous primaries with ballot cast percentages clocking in at 11.52% for Boone County, 12.96% for Campbell County and 11.77% for Kenton County.
Boone County Clerk Justin Crigler said the day “went smooth,” adding that the staff and poll workers did “a great job.”
Long lines plagued Kenton County on election day in 2022, which some local leaders attributed to the consolidation of polling places following election reforms in 2021.
By all accounts, this problem did not re-emerge for the primary. Reports from county clerks, party representatives and others present at polling sites all indicated short lines and comparatively easy work loads for poll workers.
Dave Meyer, vice chair of the Kenton County Democrats, described the day’s events as very “low drama.” Shane Noem of the Kenton County Republicans expressed similar sentiments.
Both representatives agreed that lower turnouts for primary elections, even in constitutional races like these, were not unexpected. Data from the previous constitutional seat election in 2019 supports this.
Meyer added that people should not “draw conclusions about the general election” from primary election turn outs. Furthermore, Noem pointed out that constitutional primaries like this inevitably pale in comparison to mid-term and presidential elections.
Much of the night’s attention was on the Republican contest, and Democrats generally turned out in much lower numbers throughout the region.
In Boone County, only 5,290 Democratic ballots were cast to the Republicans’ 45,406. In Campbell County, meanwhile, 6,455 Democrats turned out, whereas 29,507 Republicans cast ballots. Finally, in Kenton County, Democrats saw a turnout of 5,468 ballots cast compared to the Republicans’ turnout with 11,403 ballots cast.
These figures include absentee, early voting and in-person voting as of May 16.