Ritchie: Minn. again expected to be No. 1 in voting

    Voter turnout has been steady and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says he expects that Minnesota will once again rank No. 1 in voter turnout among the states. Minnesota has been at the top of that list 12 times in the last 16 elections, the Christian Science Monitor says. Here's a quick round-up of what things looked like at the polls today.
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    Minnesota could again be No. 1 among states in voter turnout, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says, HometownSource reports.

    Minnesota has about 4 million eligible voters and about 3 million are expected to vote Tuesday. Nationwide, about half of eligible voters actually vote.

    Ritchie has said initial results could be available by 8:30 p.m., with more results by 11 p.m. He has said that the secretary of state's website should be able to handle an expected leap in traffic Tuesday night.

    Minnesota has had the highest voter turnout rates in the nation in 12 of the last 16 elections.

    The Christian Science Monitor profiled the six states with the highest voter turnout, and endeavored to explain why they top the list. Ritchie tells the publication that same-day registration is a big reason Minnesota is No. 1.

    Chilly, damp November weather did not stop voters, Forum Communications reports. MinnPost notes that scattered polling place disruptions were reported Tuesday, including a bomb threat in Canby, Minn.

    Voter turnout on Tuesday ranged from steady to heavy in St. Paul and Roseville, the Pioneer Press reported.

    In central Minnesota, turnout has been heavy, but few problems reported, the St. Cloud Times reports.

    Lines were long in Duluth, WDIO reports.

    Some Minneapolis precincts dealt with a mechanical issue, the Pioneer Press reports.

    MPR has more snapshots of voter lines Tuesday.

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