Primary voter participation average across eastern Idaho

There was a lot of talk about voter participation during Tuesday’s primary elections.

Bannock County was the only county in eastern Idaho that had a significant difference in the percentage of registered voters who actually voted this year. Instead of 22.7 percent, 34.27 percent of registered voters actually showed up to the polls. Other counties turnout was similar compared to previous years. Bonneville County Elections Supervisor Penny Manning said she isn’t surprised by the numbers.

“We didn’t really have anything huge happen in the county this year,” she said. “Some people were anticipating that there would be more voters, but some people get sick of hearing all the politics and don’t want to mess with it.”

Experts said there isn’t a particular explanation for low voter interest, but Idaho Falls resident Jacob Blackburn believes many voters feel their vote doesn’t count.

“I think people should vote, but we should maybe change what’s on the ballot and what the federal government should be able to overturn,” he said. “It’s a little disheartening. It doesn’t leave me motivated to try and vote if a federal judge can just come and change that.”