NC turnout shatters record

RALEIGH (AP) -- North Carolina's primary has shattered voter turnout records.

More than 2.1 million people cast a ballot in Tuesday's election, and most voted in the Democratic primary that featured the historic race for the White House.

Final numbers haven't been tallied as county elections offices count provisional ballots. But state elections chief Gary Bartlett said Wednesday he expects turnout to finish at about 50 percent for Democrats and about 23 percent for Republicans.

Overall turnout will be about 38 percent.

The primary election of 1988 had the highest previous turnout at 31 percent. In 2004, turnout was 16 percent.

Bartlett said new voter registrations and close elections for both the presidency and for governor could North Carolina a chance to break records in November's general election.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)