Utah Voters on Pace for 25 Percent Turnout Increase
by Associated Press
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY — State election officials say the early voter turnout figures are well ahead of the last time Utah had a presidential primary.
The Lt. Governor’s office says so far the state is on pace for a turnout between 25 and 30 percent. That’s about the same as the turnout in the state general election in November.
The last time Utah held a presidential primary was 2000 and turnout was only around 10 percent. A spokesman for Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert says we’re already past that total.
The polls have been open since 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m.
Ron Paul Secures Three Delegates in West Virginia State Convention (2/5/08)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2008
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – In today’s West Virginia Republican State Convention, Republican candidate Ron Paul’s campaign secured three of the 18 national delegates up for grabs.
“Our goal is to secure as many delegates to the national GOP convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul as possible,” said Ron Paul 2008 campaign manager Lew Moore. “Securing three delegates in West Virginia is an important step in that direction. We plan on locking up more delegates before the day ends.”
In an agreement first reported by West Virginia television station WSAZ, the three Ron Paul delegates were secured through an agreement with the Mike Huckabee campaign.
Ron Paul delegates to the state convention swung their support to Huckabee – putting Huckabee over the top – after Congressman Paul was eliminated in the first round of voting. With three national delegates, Ron Paul secured 17 percent of the 18 delegates that were decided at the State Convention.
Why is this newsworthy?
It’s unfortunate that Huckabee and Paul didn’t earn their delegates in WV by 1st choice or popular vote. I would feel bad to get delegates by “agreement” the way that they did. McCain’s delegates trying to block Romney from winning was sad enough, but Huckabee shouldn’t be touting a win that was handed to him by people who don’t even want to see him take office.
This is why it’s important for the Republicans to do as the Dems do, allocate according to the vote. Though, I don’t think that would have prevented McCain from trying to throw votes to Huckabee!