Graphic by Noah Dawson for The Amarillo Pioneer
According to totals reported by Potter and Randall counties, there have been 12,482 votes cast so far in the general election as of Wednesday, October 26th. Of those votes cast, 8,173 were cast in Randall County and 4,309 were cast in Potter County. We have gone through the published list of who has voted and compared those to the voters in the Republican and Democratic primaries and runoffs earlier this year.
After crunching the numbers, Republican primary voters are ahead in both counties, with 55% of votes cast so far in Randall County having been cast by people who voted in the Republican primary election. Nearly a third of voters (31%) voted in the Republican runoff election. Democratic primary and runoff voters have had a much smaller showing, with only 5% having voted in the primary and 2% having voted in the runoff. Meanwhile, 40% of ballots were cast by voters who participated in neither party’s primary or runoff.
Graphic by Noah Dawson for The Amarillo Pioneer
Republicans primary voters have a slightly smaller lead in Potter County, with 52% of ballots having been cast by Republican primary voters and only just over a quarter (28%) having voted in the Republican runoff. Democratic primary voters, on the other hand, have turned out with a larger share than in Randall, with 9% of voters having previously voted in the Democratic primary and 4% having voted in the Democratic runoff. Meanwhile, a similar percentage (39%) to Randall County voted in neither party’s primary or runoff.
Graphic by Noah Dawson for The Amarillo Pioneer
Within Potter County, one precinct we are watching in particular is Precinct 2, which has contested races for Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner. In the race for Justice of the Peace, incumbent Republican is being challenged by Democrat David DeLeon. In the race for County Commissioner, Republican Blair Schaffer is hoping to oust Democrat Robert Ruiz. In precinct 2, the differences in turnout are much tighter than the rest of the county, with neither Republican or Democratic primary voters having cast a majority of votes.
In that precinct, 37% of ballots have been cast by Republican primary voters and 17% being cast by Republican runoff voters. Democratic primary voters, on the other hand, have cast 14% of ballots. Democratic runoff voters, meanwhile, have cast 5% of ballots. Nearly half of ballots (49%) have been cast by voters who participated in neither party’s primary or runoff.
Graphic by Noah Dawson for The Amarillo Pioneer
Do these numbers tell us much about who will win? Maybe. However, we still have over a week left in Early Voting. Additionally, a large percentage in both counties and nearly half of voters in Potter County Precinct 2 voted in neither party’s nominating contest. Finally, one must consider that just because a person votes in one party’s primary or runoff does not mean they have to vote for that party in the general election.
Be sure to continue to check AmarilloPioneer.com for the latest local election updates. Also be sure to check out our voter guide if you haven’t voted yet.