Despite the coronavirus pandemic changing how the primary election would normally be held Caldwell County had a fairly high voter turn out compared to past years.
County Clerk Toni Watson says just over 530 people voted at the courthouse on Tuesday.
She adds the turn out this year is one of the highest for the primary election in recent years.
Watson states the almost 1,900 absentee ballots requested is also higher than ever due to the pandemic, which lead to the state allowing no-excuse absentee ballots.
As for Tuesday’s totals, in the only localized race Jenny Hines inched to victory over Chris McNeill in Caldwell County, 156 to 138, in the Court of Appeals First District race. The other two candidates, C. Rene Williams and JR Jason Coltharp received 112 and 48 respectfully.
For the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate Charles Booker overwhelmingly took Caldwell County with 112 votes, followed by Amy McGrath at 73. Other candidates, Mary Ann Tobin, Jimmy Ausbrooks, Bennie Smith, Andrew Maynard, Eric Rothmuller, Mike Broihier, Maggie Jo Hilliard, and John Sharpensteen all received less than 20 votes per candidate. As for the Republican primary race for U.S. Senate incumbent Mitch McConnell drew the most votes with 210 followed by Wesley Morgan who received 22. The remaining five candidates Nicholas Alsager, Paul Frangedakis, Louis Grider, Naren James, and Kenneth Lowndes all received less than 10 votes a piece.
For the Presidential Republican primary race incumbent Donald Trump received 244 while 11 Caldwell Republican voters indicated they were uncommitted. As for the Presidential Democratic primary former Vice President Joe Biden received 92 votes from Caldwell’s registered Democrats, with 73 reportedly uncommitted. Former presidential candidates who have since dropped from the race accounted for 73 additional votes, including 38 for Bernie Sanders.
Full unofficial results from early voting and all absentee ballots returned will be counted and added to Tuesday’s results and will be released by the County Clerk’s Office on Tuesday, June 30th.
