Voter turnout higher than expected

Voter turnout is low, but still higher than expected, in today’s three-way Democratic primary for governor.

As of 1 p.m., both Charlottesville and Albemarle County election officials reported that 4.9 percent of registered voters had cast a ballot.

Voter registrars had projected that 5 percent of voters would participate.

It now appears that Charlottesville and Albemarle will almost certainly surpass that figure long before the polls close at 7 p.m.

In Charlottesville, 1,410 out of 28,661 voters had cast a ballot by 1 p.m. In Albemarle, 3,351 out of 67,864 had voted.

Voters are choosing between Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran. The winner of today’s primary will face GOP nominee for governor Bob McDonnell in November.

Also on today’s ballot is a Democratic contest between Jody Wagner and Mike Signer for lieutenant governor. The winner of that race will run against Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, in the general election.

Three western Albemarle County precincts are also selecting a Democratic nominee - either Dr. Greg Marrow or Jim Noel - to run against Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, in the fall.