Low voter turnout predicted in Pa. for primary

    County election boards in Pennsylvania are expecting low turnout at the polls during Tuesday’s primary.

    For those in the business of counting votes, there’s one looming question before the poll open, How will turnout be affected by the now rather subdued Republican presidential primary?

    Mark Wolosik, Allegheny County’s director of elections, predicts a modest showing. He’s basing his prediction on the drop in applications for absentee ballots; they’re way down compared with what they were for the 2008 primary.

    “And some of it is just a general feel. It’s very quiet. There’s very few phones ringing, here,” he said.

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    Republicans say voters are very energized.

    A party spokeswoman says hotly contested congressional races will bring people to the polls even if Rick Santorum no longer will.

    But Democrats are hoping a depressed GOP turnout boosts their candidates’ chances in special elections in six state House districts.

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