StrictConstruct

The media is reporting that turnout for the Democratic Primary is high today, and “at least double” what it was in 2004. It is not all that surprising, as by this point in 2004 Kerry was the presumptive nominee and the race was considered to be long over. But do the numbers tell us anything? Frankly, I doubt anything can really be taken from them. Were it a caucus, a high turnout tended to favor Obama, but in primaries all have been high and it has split both ways.

The earliest of early exit polling has also been released, though it only consists of generic issue questions and not who people voted for, so it too is essentially useless outside of the novelty factor. True exit polling should be released when polls close at 8, but of course the only result that counts will be tallied into the night.

And what of the Republican primary? Not surprisingly, very little coverage is being given to it. I would speculate that turnout for the Republicans will be, in addition to being lower than the Democrats, at the lowest level of any primary yet. Will this help out Ron Paul? That depends on if Paul supporters get out to vote. Paul has a lot of support in Pennsylvania, and the state benefited from a lot of grassroots work and focus. Will it pay off? You will just have to wait and see.

(Photo credit to brunkfordbraun.)