Turnout the biggest question in today’s primary election

There are two million registered voters in Iowa, but just a fraction of those voters is expected at the polls today for the primary election. Secretary of State Chet Culver, Iowa’s Commissioner of Elections, is a bit more optimistic about turnout, however. Culver says people are paying more attention to politics and government lately, and for that reason Culver predicts better-than-normal turnout. In a normal year, between 10 and 20 percent of registered voters cast ballots in a primary election. Culver says there’s been no let-up in intensity since the Caucuses, and that’s one reason he’s predicting healthier turnout. Culver says the political parties are in full gear and no one’s taking a break in any state race, county race or the race for the White House. As for the mechanics of voting today, Culver suggests that if you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail, it’d be a good idea to take some form of I.D. to your polling site. Culver says if you don’t have a drivers license, there are some things that will help confirm you are who you say you are. Culver says you can show your utility bill, a bank statement, your pay stub or another government document which shows your name and address. The polls open this morning at seven o’clock. If you want to find out which precinct you’re to vote in, go to the Secretary of State’s website and use the “precinct locator.”