Light turnout expected for primary election today

Voters shouldn't have to wait in line to cast a ballot in the June 5 primary election.

Although both counties feature competitive local races as well as congressional primary races, there are no statewide primary races to drive turnout

The Linn County Auditor's Office is predicting turnout in the 3 percent to 5 percent range – somewhere between 5,000 and 8,000 voters, according to Tim Box, deputy commissioner of elections.

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PrimaryElectionTurnout06.04.12

In Johnson County, Kingsley Botchway, deputy auditor of elections, expects turnout to be somewhere between the 9 percent who voted in the 2008 primary and the 13 percent who voted in 2010.

A total of 1,234 people have voted in Johnson County, according to Slockett. That's more than in the low-turnout 2008 primary, but less than in the 2006 and 2010 primaries.

“Our expectations are that it will be a normal turnout for this type of election,” he said.

In both counties, turnout, what there is, likely will be driven by Democratic primaries for county auditor. Auditor Joel Miller is being challenged by former Linn County Supervisor Jim Houser and Brian Gradoville, who works in the Treasurer's Office. For more, visit http://easterniowagovernment.com/2012/06/02/3-democratic-candidates-vying-to-be-linn-county-auditor/.

Johnson County Auditor Tom Slockett faces a challenge from Tiffin accountant and City Councilman Travis Weipert. Read more at http://thegazette.com/2012/05/29/stakes-high-in-johnson-county-auditor-primary/.

Despite the prospects for low voter participation, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. To find where to vote in Linn County, visit http://www.linncountyelections.org/lookup/. In Johnson County, go to http://gis.johnson-county.com/ElectionPollingPlace/.

In Johnson County, 34 percent of voters will be casting ballots in new polling places, Slockett said.

However, Botchway said that if people show up at the wrong voting station poll workers will redirect them to their precincts.

Eastern Iowa congressional primaries haven't generated great interest. In the 1Ben Lange is seeking a rematch with Waterloo Democratic incumbent Rep. Bruce Braley. First, however, he faces Dubuque businessman Rod Blum.

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District, Independence attorney

In the 2John Archer and Muscatine builder Dan Dolan are scrapping to be the party's challenger to Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa City. He faces a challenge from State Sen. Joe Seng of Davenport.

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District, Bettendorf attorney

There are a handful of legislative primaries, too. Republicans Brian Cook of Manchester and Dan Zumbach of Ryan are competing for the nomination in Senate 48 that includes parts of Linn, Buchanan, Delaware and Jones counties. The winner will face Rep. Nate Willems, D-Lisbon.

In House 73, David Johnson of West branch and Dick Schwab of Solon are vying for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton. The district includes Cedar County and parts of Muscatine and Johnson counties.

And in House 78, Rep. Jarad Klein, R-Keota, is being challenged by Priscilla Marlar of Mount Pleasant.

For more on today's elections, check out the

Eastern Iowa Voter Guide.