Ketchikan voters cast their ballots at The Plaza mall precinct. (KRBD file photo)
Voter turnout in House District 36 hit the double-digits in yesterday’s state primary election, but just barely.
According to the state Division of Elections unofficial results, overall turnout for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Metlakatla, Hydaburg and Wrangell was 10.36 percent.
By precinct, the highest turnout was at Ketchikan’s North Tongass 2, which saw 14.06 percent of registered voters. The lowest was in Hydaburg, which had zero participation.
There were no local contested races on the ballot, which could explain the low turnout. The only races on the district ballot were for federal office.
Following statewide trends, House District 36 Republicans who voted yesterday chose incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski by a wide margin. She received 854 votes compared to just 78 for her closest competitor, Paul Kendall.
Democrat Ray Metcalf had the most votes locally and statewide, and will be on the November ballot challenging Murkowski.
Local Republicans also chose incumbent Rep. Don Young (833 votes) over his closest rival, Stephen Wright (106 votes). Democrats in House District 36 and statewide chose Steve Lindbeck to challenge Young in November.
The general election is Nov. 8th.
