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Analyzing Voting Trends in Mesa County

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Sep 25, 2012 at 11:08 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 26, 2012 at 8:12 AM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo.- On National Voter Registration Day, the county's registration average of 20 people per day skyrocketed 15 times over to hit nearly 300.

A total of 69 percent of Mesa County's residents are registered to vote.

That tops the national average of 59 percent and the state's 68 percent average.

Mesa County Republicans and Democrats have different tactics to get out the vote.

Referring to the last election, Karl Castleton, co-chair for the Mesa County Democrats, said, "We actually checked to see that all the Democrats turned in and with that additional pressure, Democrats were more likely to return a ballot."

"We're going to be encouraging people to watch the debate next Wednesday evening; I think that is going to give them a really good indication of who Gov. Romney is and what he's all about," added Ruth Ehlers, chairwoman for the Mesa County Republicans.

However, many college-aged voters say neither candidate suits their generation's needs.

"I feel like Obama hasn't really helped our economy, and I feel like Romney isn't going to help college students with raising school prices," said Kristen Schubert, a Colorado Mesa University freshman.

At 5,511 registered voters, those 18 to 24 make up less than a third of their 25 to 44 counterparts; there are 17,563 people registered to vote in that age group.

Those 18 to 24 makes up less than a fifth of those in the 45 to 65 age group, which has 29,341 people registered.

There are 17,416 people registered who are 66 and older.

Party officials say voters today want to be involved, but don't want to be swayed.

Election offices are seeing more and more people remaining unaffiliated instead of attaching themselves to party politics.

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