Polling locations lightly trafficked mid-day Tuesday

MAT-SU — Polling locations were lightly trafficked around the Valley Tuesday afternoon as the state's 2008 primary election took place.

Election workers said they were bracing for the post-5 p.m. rush of voters who typically show up after work.

Before then, many polling locations sat empty as election officials waited for more voters to arrive.

In Wasilla, however, at the Wasilla City Hall voting location, Doris Hagedorn, an election official, said 238 voters had come through by 11:45 a.m.

“I think it’s been a pretty good flow,” Hagedorn said.

As Hagedorn spoke, more voters began showing up to sign in and make their choices. One trend among voters officials say they are noticing is a lack of 18- to 25-year-olds showing up.

“The voters seem older than younger,” Hagedorn said.

She added she was hopeful once the workforce began showing up more young voters would follow.

A dismal showing for young voters also appeared to be occurring in Palmer today.

At the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Inner Springer Loop, election workers said while a mixture of young and old voters had shown up, very few appeared to be under the age of 25.

By 1 p.m., the church’s polling location had seen 121 voters.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. across the Mat-Su Valley and the state. The state Division of Elections will begin posting results from today’s primary after 9 p.m., according to the division’s Web site.

Results can be found at www.elections.alaska.gov/08prim/.

Candidates for Senate Seat G, Republican Linda Menard and Democrat Erick Cordero, are both unopposed in the primary. Below are the contested House races.

In District 13, incumbent Rep. Carl Gatto will take on David J. Parks and Florence Scott for the Republican nomination. David Cheezem, the Democratic candidate in District 13, is running unopposed.

In District 14, Republican Rep. Wes Keller, who was appointed to the seat last year, is running unopposed in the primary. His soon-to-be Democratic opponent in the general election, Rose Smith, is also unopposed.

In District 15, Republican incumbent Rep. Mark Neuman will face Trapper Creek resident April Moore to move on to the general elections. Lew Dischner, the district’s Democrat, is unopposed in the primary.

In District 16, Chugiak Republican Rep. Bill Stoltze will face Justin D. “J.D.” Hatley and Kent Hermon in the primary. Democrat Beverly Serrano is unopposed.

Also on the primary ballot will be four measures up for voter decision, according to the state’s Department of Elections Web site.

Ballot Measure 1 seeks to establish an Alaska Gaming Commission within the state Department of Revenue and chance gaming laws.

Ballot Measure 2 seeks to amend the current bill banning same-day airborne shooting to include grizzly bears.

Ballot Measure 3 would create a voluntary program of public funding for state election campaigns.

Ballot Measure 4 is seeking to impose two water quality standards on new, large-scale metallic mineral mining operations in Alaska.

For more information on the primary elections, including the four ballot measures, visit the state’s Division of Elections Web site at ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.