Primary Election Day voting steady
Voters say a desire for change brings them to polls
New Ulm Ward 2 voters fill out their ballots during Tuesday’s primary. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Election Judges LeAnn Miheve and Kenneth Varland help New Ulm Ward 2 voters determine which precinct they belong to during Tuesday’s primary election. Photo by Clay Schuldt
I Voted stickers await New Ulm voters who chose to cast a ballot in the primary election on Tuesday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Perry Bock serves as Head Judge at New Ulm’s Ward 2. Bock has served as an election judge since he was 18 years old. He said he was always excited by elections and collected campaign buttons as a young man. Photo by Clay Schuldt
New Ulm Ward 1 voters make their selections during the Minnesota primary Tuesday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
New Ulm Ward 2 voters fill out their ballots during Tuesday’s primary. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Election Judges LeAnn Miheve and Kenneth Varland help New Ulm Ward 2 voters determine which precinct they belong to during Tuesday’s primary election. Photo by Clay Schuldt
I Voted stickers await New Ulm voters who chose to cast a ballot in the primary election on Tuesday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Perry Bock serves as Head Judge at New Ulm’s Ward 2. Bock has served as an election judge since he was 18 years old. He said he was always excited by elections and collected campaign buttons as a young man. Photo by Clay Schuldt
New Ulm Ward 1 voters make their selections during the Minnesota primary Tuesday. Photo by Clay Schuldt
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NEW ULM -- Tuesday Primary Election Day voting was steady in much of New Ulm, according to election judges.
"We had 145 voters in the first three and one-half hours. It's good to see, especially for a primary election. This is more than I expected. I've been so busy, my coffee got cold," said New Ulm Ward 4 Election Judge Bob Mielke at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
Several Ward 4 voters were excited to see higher turnout.
"I hope everybody got out and voted," said Judy LaGrow. "It's our duty. I always vote."
"It's our civic duty," said Greg Glover.
"It's the right thing to always vote in every election," said Marie Sperling. "It's our right too."
"It's our obligation and privilege to vote," said Lisa Glover.
Margaret Lund said "all the fraud" motivated her to vote.
"It's important to vote," said Darlene Meier." It's our duty. If you want something different, you should vote."
Ward 1 also saw a higher than expected voter turnout at Redeemer Lutheran. By 10:30 a.m. 100 ballots had been cast at the Ward 1 polling location. The number of votes reached 228 by 1:30 p.m.
"For a midterm primary, it is a little busier than anticipated," Election Judge Kathleen Born said.
"At this point we're likely to break 400," Election Judge Jerry Turgie said. "For a primary, that's pretty good."
Ward 1 Election Judge Kim Williams said he had expected 300 votes total for the ward, but was happy to see a higher turnout.
Ward 2 saw a slightly lower voter turnout early in the day, with 90 ballots cast by 11am, but that number had increased to 196 by 2 p.m.
Longtime election judge Perry Bock said the primary elections are traditionally a little slower, but it was still exciting to be part of the election process.
At Ward 3 voter Rick Schugel said it's time for a change in Minnesota.
"It's a privilege to vote. I want to make my vote count," said Jan Johnson.
Mary Bruckmeier said she hoped the primary election puts good people in office.
Ward 3 Head Election Judge Heather Bregel talked about the turnout.
"It's been steady," she said. "I'm sure the November General Election will be busier."
Brown County had 17,431 registered voters and 439 pre-registered voters as of Aug. 3, according to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon's Office (SOS).
As of 7 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, the SOS reported 109,449 ballots accepted by mail statewide, 132,156 ballots accepted in person and 443,985 absentee applications.
On this year's primary ballot, voters were able to select their parties nomination for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative of District 1, District 15B State Representative, Secretary of State, State Auditor and Attorney General.
The results of the primary election were not available at the time of print deadline, but will be posted on The Journal's website.
For more information on the primary election, visit www.sos.mn.gov and www.browncountymn.gov/elections.