Voters in heavily Democratic Dane County turned out in unusually large numbers for a spring election, energized by local races for Madison mayor and Dane County executive and by recent protests at the state level against Gov. Scott Walker's efforts to limit public sector collective bargaining.

"This election was more urgent and crucial than ever because of what's at stake, which is our democracy," said Leslie Dorff, a 63-year-old South Sider.

Final numbers weren't available, but early turnout was far higher both in Madison and Dane County than is typical for the entire day. By 4 p.m. Tuesday, 35 percent of voters in Madison had cast ballots. In the rest of the county, 31 percent had voted.

Both exceeded typical spring turnout of 20 percent to 25 percent and were expected to grow significantly. Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl predicted city turnout could reach 70 percent by the time polls closed at 8 p.m. Dane County deputy clerk Karen Peters said she expected turnout in the county to exceed 50 percent.

"This is an astronomically high, record-breaking turnout," she said.