Only about 1 in 5 registered voters cast a ballot in Tuesday’s primary election.
Turnout in McLean County (including Bloomington voters) reached only 21.2% in this midterm, nonpresidential primary election. That’s the third straight decline in turnout in elections of this type, down from a recent high of 28.6% in the 2014 primary, according to a WGLT tally.
The big reason: There were few contested local or state legislative races in this primary. Turnout is usually lower in nonpresidential elections regardless.
Turnout in the City of Bloomington in Tuesday's election was just 20.4%, well below what Bloomington Election Commission interim executive director predicted (40%) as of a few weeks ago. It was only a bit better (21.9%) for voters in the McLean County clerk's jurisdiction, which includes Normal.
McLean County has two election authorities. The county clerk’s office handles all elections for the county except the City of Bloomington. Voting in the City of Bloomington is conducted by the Bloomington Election Commission.
