Record turnout is predicted for Tuesday's first-in-the-nation primary.Secretary of State Bill Gardner said he anticipates that 282,000 Republican and 268,000 Democratic votes will be cast, eclipsing the record set during the 2008 primary.Gardner said he bases his estimates largely on his own observations. He also said that if there is a storm Tuesday, it will only have a minimal effect on turnout."We had it before. We've dealt with it," Gardner said. "People are going to get out to vote. People are used to this."Gardner said that about 95 percent of the votes will be cast at the polls, with about 5 cast as absentee ballots.

Record turnout is predicted for Tuesday's first-in-the-nation primary.

Secretary of State Bill Gardner said he anticipates that 282,000 Republican and 268,000 Democratic votes will be cast, eclipsing the record set during the 2008 primary.


Gardner said he bases his estimates largely on his own observations. He also said that if there is a storm Tuesday, it will only have a minimal effect on turnout.

"We had it before. We've dealt with it," Gardner said. "People are going to get out to vote. People are used to this."

Gardner said that about 95 percent of the votes will be cast at the polls, with about 5 cast as absentee ballots.