Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Tuesday is the last primary election in the country, and for many Utahns, there are some high profile races at stake.
A few items on the ballot are no brainers: Mitt Romney as the Republican presidential nominee. But others are still a bit of a nail biter, with many races expected to come down to the wire.
Despite the exciting races, many of the polling locations throughout the state are quiet, and much of that is a result of votes by mail. In Salt Lake County, about 9 percent voted by mail.
In Salt Lake City, Gladys Lemmon was the ninth person to vote at her polling center, bringing with her strong feeling about every candidate.
"Every one of them that I vote for I feel honored that I have the opportunity to do that," Lemmon said. "So they all count."
Additionally, the last minute campaigning hit a fever pitch. There were many cheers for incumbent Sen. Orrin Hatch Tuesday morning. With his 36-year senate career on the line, Hatch is not taking anything for granted, but says he feels most voters want him in office.
We're hoping for a big voter turnout. We think it's better for democracy, better for Utah if we get a lot of people to get out and vote. We think that helps us as well.
–Mike Winder
"I think they realize how important my positions are back there, and how good I've represented them over many years," Hatch said. "I wouldn't have run again if it weren't for the Finance Committee."
A few days ago, Hatch's opponent Dan Liljenquist said he felt good about the race — grateful for people who have helped.
"It's just unbelievably gratifying to see how many people are coming out and volunteering and walking neighborhoods and saying it's time," Liljenquist said.
Other big races in the state: GOP primaries for Attorney General and state auditor. Also, West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder is competing with former councilman Mark Crockett for the GOP nod for Salt Lake County Mayor.
On Sunday a KSL-TV/Deseret News poll shows Winder and Crockett in a tight race, which means voter turnout could be very critical.
"We're hoping for a big voter turnout," Winder said. "We think it's better for democracy, better for Utah if we get a lot of people to get out and vote. We think that helps us as well."
"Voter turnout is always good, but informed voter turnout is even better," Crockett said. "And when people take a look at our record, side-by-side, with Winder's record, most of the undecided tend to come our way."
With low voter turnout, the results in the races for U.S. Senate, Attorney General, Salt Lake County Mayor and state auditor are not a sure thing. The candidates can only wait for Tuesday night, just like the rest of the state.
