Voter Turnout Likely Lower than in 2008

Although officials expected an after-work rush to the polls, the number of Bartow County voters who cast ballots today in Georgia's presidential preference primary likely won't be as many as the same election in 2008.

At 4 p.m., about 5,500 of the county's 57,785 registered voters had cast ballots. The stream of voters at 17 polls, including eight in Cartersville, was steady all day, Supervisor Joseph Kirk said.

"We're not covered up, there's no huge delays, but the rooms have not been empty all day," he said about 4 p.m.

Kirk of registered voters would show up to pick a presidential candidate. About 84 percent of those registered voters, or 48,657, are considered active.

As Super Tuesday voting neared its end, Kirk estimated the polls would see an overall 30 to 35 percent of Bartow's voters.

In the 2008 presidential primary, when President Barack Obama squared off with several Democratic opponents, nearly 40 percent of registered Bartow voters cast ballots, but about 63 percent were in the Republican primary.

This year, , but Mitt Romney was the apparent frontrunner before 10 states took to the polls today. Obama is the only candidate in the Democratic primary.

Voters today chose between Republicans Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum, in addition to Romney.

While it's not the first to usher , the presidential primary was a first for one student.

Cartersville Patch met up with Savannah Porter about noon at the . She just hit age 18, and was about to cast her first ballot.

"I just watched a debate. I'm not 100 percent sure," she said. "I hope I made a good decision. I really don't know."

A gray area for local and Georgia voters may be which Republican candidate could come out ahead of Obama in November. And will voters pick him in the Republican presidential primary or the candidate who most reflects their political views?

"It's just important to get out and vote," said another voter at the Beaver's Drive precinct. She declined further comment.

Did you make a presidential pick at the polls today? Was it for the candidate you want to become president or was your decision based on other factors? Tell us in the comments.