Voter Turnout Down From 2008

Early figures suggest that fewer voters showed up to cast a ballot yesterday than in 2008, despite long lines at the polls, reports the AP. Vermont saw a decline in turnout greater than 14%, and South Carolina and Mississippi were nearly as large. In most states, numbers look lower than 2004. The reasons? A drawn out and nasty political fight that probably turned some voters off. Obama's had a tough four years in office, which could have weakened his voter base, while Romney may be seen as the tepid result of a divisive Republican primary. It's not all bad news on the turnout front, however: Early voting numbers in several states exceeded 2008's figures. (More voter turnout stories.)