Despite the efforts of political activists around Grounds and throughout Charlottesville to promote political participation, precinct officials reported low voter turnout in yesterday's primary.
"Voter turnout is low when you consider how many registered voters are in this particular precinct," said Richard Marsden, chief election official at the Alumni Hall polling location.
Nevertheless, some Charlottesville residents were enthusiastic about participating in the primary.
"I am concerned about the drift of the Democratic Party to the middle," Charlottesville voter Robyn Kells said. "It is important for people to vote in the primary to express their views and send a message."
University Democrats encouraged their members to vote in yesterday's primary and is trying to increase political awareness on Grounds before supporting a specific candidate in the general election, University Democrats President Allyson Gold said.
The group is planning a voter registration drive sometime before the general election, Gold said.
"The University Democrats get-out-the-vote and voter registration efforts are never partisan," Gold said. "It is just to get people registered and increase general political awareness. If you talked to people on Grounds, a lot of them wouldn't know that there was a Democratic primary today."
Although the University Democrats were unable to organize rides to the polls for yesterday's primary, Gold said they plan to provide transportation to general election polls in the fall.
University College Republicans are focusing their efforts on general political awareness and participation as well, said Amber VerValin, vice-chair of campaigns for Students for Bush.
Some Republicans showed up at the polls yesterday since Virginia's primary is open to all registered voters, VerValin said.
"I know lots of Republicans who are going to vote in the Democratic primary," VerValin said. "I don't agree with that."
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