Riley County saw a steady stream of people voting in advance ahead of today’s primary.
County Clerk Rich Vargo noted 5,154 people had cast their ballots through Saturday, a figure he said Monday would likely approach 6,000 by the noon cutoff for advanced voting.
Vargo’s estimate was not far off. The final number of Riley County residents to vote early was 5,716.
The uptick in advanced voting largely fueled by an emotional ballot question regarding the constitutional right to an abortion. Washburn University Associate Professor Patrick Miller spoke to CBS News about the ballot question.
Vargo encourages voters to be informed when they head to the polls.
Local races to watch include in Pottawatomie County District 1, where Republican commissioner Dee McKee is facing a primary challenge by Hans Tessman, of St. George.
At the state level, District 64 State Representative Suzi Carlson is facing a primary challenge from two fellow Republicans, including Brad Starnes, of Riley, and Lewis Bloom, of Clay Center.
At the state level there are primary races also for attorney general, state treasurer and secretary of state. Polls are open until 7 p.m. statewide.
