Biggest Turnout for Primary Election

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Published on March 16 2016 12:44 am
Last Updated on March 16 2016 1:11 am
Written by Greg Sapp

What is believed to be a record turnout for a primary election was seen Tuesday in Effingham County.

44.75% of those registered to vote cast a ballot Tuesday, much higher than the previous high of 37.11% in 2014. Looking back to 1998, in the two previous primaries, though, less than 30% of those registered had turned out and the low turnout in that time period was 18.28% in the 2006 primary.

A large percentage of those voting in Effingham are registered Republicans, but more than 78% of the ballots pulled Tuesday were Republican, compared to less than 22% Democrat. One other factor might have been that there were several more contests on the Republican ballot this year.

As to the reason for the turnout, it could've been voter dissatisfaction, and it could also have been due to the Republican primary battle between John Shimkus and Kyle McCarter, won by Shimkus, both in Effingham County although by a narrow margin, 3,893 to 3,809, as well as districtwide, 75,810 to 49,658.

The Neoga school referendum went down to defeat, 966 No to 713 Yes, but that is a much closer margin than the referendum that was proposed last year, which was seeking far more money.

The Stewardson Fire and Ambulance District question of whether to switch to electing trustees or continue having them appointed narrowly failed, with 281 voting to continue appointing the trustees to 278 voting to start electing trustees.

Effingham County, as is often the case, bucked the trend as far as who was their favorite in the presidential primary, favoring Democrat Bernie Sanders and Republican Ted Cruz, while voters statewide supported Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, although Clinton's win was a narrow one, about 28,000 votes.

At the state legislative level, incumbent Dale Righter won the Republican nomination in the 55th Senate District over challenger Mike Parsons, 25,774 to 11,896. In the 102nd House District, former State Representative Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville won a three-way race for the Republican nomination with 9,354 votes to to 8,162 for James Acklin and 3,946 for Randy Peterson. There was no incumbent involved, as Adam Brown is not seeking re-election. In the 109th House District, incumbent David Reis won the Republican nomination, 15,380 to 5,038 for challenger John Curtis. In the 110th House District, incumbent Reggie Phillips won the Republican nomination over Jonathan Kaye, 10,920 to 7,417.

In area counties, Joseph Gilliand defeated Mike Rinehart, 109-85, for the Republican nomination for Clay County Board in District L. Bryan Robbins won a three-way race for the Republican nomination for State's Attorney in Cumberland County with 1,140 votes to 694 for Jesse Danley and 682 for Barry Schaefer. There is no incumbent in the race, as current State's Attorney Jon Braden is seeking election as Circuit Judge to succeed the retiring Millard Everhart. Jasper County voters approved a special materials tax for county highway maintenance, 2,030 to 836.