Cascade Township has surprising voter turnout - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) --  Voter turnout was low across Minnesota Tuesday for the state's primary election.

The Minnesota Secretary of State's office reports a turnout of 9 percent -- a huge gap compared to a precinct that had 70 percent of their registered voters at the polls.

At the new Cascade Township Hall, voters from Precinct 2 showed up with the highest percentage of voters.

We talked to Don and Carol Smidt, a couple who has lived in Cascade Township for 27 years. Carol has worked as an election judge for seven years and the couple encourages neighbors to vote.

"A group of us walk around the mall making sure people are informed and helping tell them where they can go to vote," said Carol Smidt.

Don and Carol Smidt, along with the other residents, made a 26 mile roundtrip commute to their new voting location near Highway 63 and 75th street. 28 out of 40 registered voters from Precinct 2 cast their primary votes Tuesday night.

"I'm not surprised, but I am proud," said Don Smidt. "It's their civic duty and if they don't vote they don't have much to complain about, but if they do vote they can voice their opinions win or lose."

It's only the second year that the primary has been in August instead of September and that could account for Tuesday's low turnout.