Voter registration "normal" despite this year's excitement

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Indiana's presidential primary is getting a lot of attention this year, but that won't necessarily translate into higher voter turnout. (WSBT file photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 31, 2008 at 2:46 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 31, 2008 at 5:13 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — The campaigns for president have stormed Indiana over the last few weeks and will likely continue to do so until the May 6 primary. But will all the excitement mean bigger voter turnout?

At the St. Joseph County Clerk’s office, spokesperson Pam Brunette said voter registration numbers are up because it’s a presidential election year, but they aren’t different from any other presidential election year, despite the unprecedented attention from the candidates.

Brunette said she expects more registrations to come in this week because it’s the last week before the deadline.

St. Mary’s College political science professor Sean Savage said this year’s important primary election in Indiana may not be enough to turn around decades of primaries that didn’t make a difference.

“When it comes to national politics,” said Savage, “Hoosiers are accustomed to being ignored … usually both parties have their presidential nominations wrapped up months before (Indiana’s May primary).”

And with the deadline to vote just week away, Savage said the excitement may be too late for some.

“By the time people who normally don’t vote start to get interested in the primary and say, ‘Gee, maybe my vote for Obama or Hillary Clinton really will mean something,’ they realize it’s too late to register to vote.”

To avoid that, Obama and Clinton campaign volunteers are canvassing neighborhoods this week to get people registered.

If you need to register to vote, there are several places to get application forms.

You can pick them up at any public library, the fourth floor of the County-City building. Applications must be postmarked by April 7.

To check to see if you're registered or to get an application online, go to WSBT.com's Campaign ‘08 section and look in the "Voter Resources" box.

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