At 4 p.m. today, the secretary of state reports, about 121,000 early or absentee votes had been cast, with a few counties not reporting. This is well ahead of the 69,000 cast in 2008. There were no statewide or congressional primary races on the ballot in 2008, however, so while participation is up, it’s short of impressive given two Senate and six congressional primaries, plus two statewide court races.

If we’re lucky, we may achieve a turnout equivalent to 1994, when the number of registered voters was smaller. The voter participation trend over the years is still dismal.

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