Is there an election today?
That's how many people responded when New Hampshire Public Radio reporter Dan Gorenstein asked if they were voting in today's primary.
Apart from a few pockets of voter activity, the Secretary of State is predicting a historically low turnout.
Sfx: golf swings
We're at the Beaver Meadow Golf course in Concord.
It is a stunning mid-September day.
The sky is a deep blue, a gentle breeze blows through the trees and the colors are starting to come out.
Judging from the number of people playing the course compared to number of people voting at the polling station- located right here in the clubhouse- it's a better day for golf.
T.10
:12 the turnout, right now, is anywhere between 3-4%. Very low turnout today. 1800 registered voters. Currently 75 have cast ballots.
T.10
2:05 (do you think you will crack 100 people) yes. We'll do a little better by the end of the day...(what would you guess) I am going to guess 200-250. (you'd be happy with 250) Yes, today I would be.
Out on the links a number of people say they plan to vote later today.
Some appreciate the reminder.
One says he's not sure where his polling place is, and then after a few more questions promises he will go vote.
But Carl Valincourt of Manchester is decided.
He is not voting today.
He says he should, but he hasn't paid attention to any of the races.
T.8
1:48 I don't have a good reason. I should vote. I haven't been paying close attention. So I wouldn't have an educated vote....I don't know anything about the candidates, so I don't know if I am voting for the right or wrong person.
A lot of people today didn't seem to know much about the races, or even some of the top of the ticket candidates in November.
Sean, who is 18, and a student at the New Hampshire Technical Institute says he's not too interested in finding out.
T.13
2:33 take a lot of effort and I'm kind of busy on my studies. I look out for myself.
Another student at the tech confides he rather be working out than voting.
T.17
Sfx: basketball
In the gym school administrator Chuck Anall says he hasn't missed a major election since he cast a vote for Eugene McCarthy in '68.
But he's skipping the primary.
T.17
:58 there just aren't that many races I am interested in. There really aren't. I think it's pretty clear, that Lynch will probably be the candidate. The Republicans are kind of hurting for the gubernatorial election. I think if I was over on the coast, some of the elections could be pretty close.
Dick Garell of Loudon proudly says he cast his ballot in Loudon at noon.
T.21
:58 I think it's still important to vote and find the time to do it. that's a right we have, and if we are going to keep it, we should exercise it.
Concord Mayor Mike Donovan bristles at the suggestion voters out there by and large and apathetic.
He lays blame at the candidates.
1:!3 I don't think it's apathy, there may be more candidate apathy than voter apathy. It's disappointing you don't see more candidates on the ballot. There are no Republicans running in one of our Legislative Districts...there are several races that aren't contested.
Gardner agrees it's too early to say the expected 14% turnout is a reflection of apathy.
He says you have to go back to 1918 to find the last time both parties failed to hold a primary at the top of the ticket.
It won't be until the November election, says Gardner, when anyone can have a sense of how engaged people are.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
