The mood of the Minnesota electorate "is extraordinarily good," said Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie late afternoon of one of Minnesota's biggest voter turnout days in history.

Ritchie is speculating that the turnout could surpass 3 million. Minnesota voters totaled 2.8 million in 2004.

More than 3 million Minnesota voters may have worn these stickers by the day's end as Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says Minnesota's voter turnout would likely go over 80 percent and could approach the 83 percent figure of 1956. 

(Isanti County News photo) 

by Howard Lestrud
ECM Online Managine Editor

The mood of the Minnesota electorate "is extraordinarily good," said Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie late afternoon of one of Minnesota's biggest voter turnout days in history.

Ritchie is speculating that the turnout could surpass 3 million. Minnesota voters totaled 2.8 million in 2004.

Ritchie, in speaking exclusively to ECM Publishers, said that one might think that voters would be angry about recent "toxic advertising" and this may affect their demeanor on election day, but he says his observations at the polls show the attitude to be "very upbeat and very mellow."

Secretary Ritchie said he is very optimistic that the state will achieve its goal of "80 in '08." The top state voter turnout of 83 percent was recorded in the 1956 presidential election between Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson.

Lakeville's 12th precinct — voters were standing in line 15-20 minutes before making it to a ballot booth. Voters waited in line for up to 45 min. in some parts of the south metro, but generally waits were under 20 min. (ThisweekLive photo)

By late afternoon, Secretary of State Ritchie, in his first term as the state's top election official, had visited eight polling places. "I'm having a fun day," he responded.

Polling place loses power

One of the polling places he visited in St. Paul even lost its power but he said the judges calmly continued the voting process with paper ballots and when the power was restored, the votes were tallied.

Ritchie said he was "very proud" of the state's election officials and said the officials and voters themselves seemed very helpful to one another and especially positive. He said voters are aware that they are part of making history with the president they select (first Black president in history or eldest president in history) and by being part of such a high Minnesota turnout.

Secretary Ritchie said he has also learned that many other parts of the country are seeing very high voter turnouts.

"The American voter seems so proud to be part of the process and young people are also turning out in high numbers to be part of the process," Ritchie explained.

Minnesota logged 3.199 million registered voters before the polls opened at 7 a.m. today.  He reported a high volume of new registrants throughout the state. Minnesota has 4,132 precincts with more than 30,000 election judges helping operate the state voting system.

Ritchie said that heavy voting was reported early this morning with some polling places reporting lines being formed as early as 6 a.m. He said lines "settled down" at about 9 a.m. and the steady turnout rhythm continued with long lines again expected at some sites after workers return home from their work locations.

Voters turned out in high numbers in North Branch after the polls opened on Tuesday morning. There was a line in front of North Branch City Hall for much of the morning.  (Post Review photo)

He also said that reports to him indicate that the younger voter turnout is high. He said the total number of young voters registered, those between the ages of 18-20, is just short of 600,000. Ritchie reported this year that 90,000 young voters have registered in the state.

Young people excited about the vote

"We seem to have torn down the voting apprehensiveness that some young people once experienced; they are now excited about voting and being part of the process," said Ritchie.

No major voting equipment has been implemented in the Minnesota voting setup since 2004 with the exception of software upgrades, said Ritchie. Four years ago, the Automark system was adopted for those with disabilities and the optical scan system was also implemented throughout the state.

Ritchie says he is very pleased to learn that other states have adopted Minnesota's paper ballot and optical scan voting system. He said Florida, which experienced serious problems eight years ago, has since adopted the Minnesota system. He also said that Tennessee and Maryland have adopted the paper ballot and optical scan setup.

Secretary Ritchie said the Minnesota voter has "a lot of personal pride" and it is shown by their turnout at the polls.