Election board official gives voter turnout predictions

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Aug 26, 2002

Tuesday's primary elections probably will not break any records for voter turnout, if predictions from State Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman hold true.

"I can't see enough voter interest to get this year up to 800,000 or so, but 650,000 wouldn't surprise me," he said.

With no race, as of yet, sparking broad voter interest, Clingman sees the 2002 primaries shaping up to mirror most closely those of 1994, the last gubernatorial election year without an incumbent leading the ticket.

At primaries that year, 442,223 Democrats took to the polls, only 35 percent of those registered. Some 205,947 Republicans voted at the primary, or 31 percent.

Clingman believes the crowded 4th District Congressional race should boost turnout a bit more than usual this year, and a couple of contentious GOP primaries -- for attorney general and labor commissioner -- have kindled some voter attention.

However, he said this year's relative lack of engaging local races may help pull the numbers down. For example, he said there are only six Democratic state Senate primaries, and six for district attorney, compared with 14 Democratic Senate primaries and 11 Democratic DA primaries in 1990. There are also no state questions on this year's primary ballot.

Leading the pack for primaries in recent years were those of 1990, headed by a heated Democratic gubernatorial contest featuring David Walters, Steve Lewis and Wes Watkins, which led to a runoff between Walters and Watkins. There was also a GOP runoff that year between Vince Orza and Bill Price.

At the August 1990 primary, 543,006 Democrats or 44 percent of those registered, went to the polls. Some 189,450 Republicans, about 30 percent, voted at their party's primary.

The nadir for primary turnout in the 1990s for a gubernatorial year was 1998, when only 284,062 Democrats and 119,620 Republicans went to the polls. In other words, only 25 percent of registered Democrats and 17 percent of registered Republicans voted at the 1998 primary elections. This was a bit more than half the number who voted in 1990.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hiring plans

Oklahoma City area businesses are expected to keep steady staffing levels in the fourth quarter, according to a new report by Manpower Inc.

Fifty percent of area businesses expect to maintain current staffing levels in the fourth quarter, said Cindy Thompson, of Manpower's office at 3030 Northwest Expressway.

She said that 20 percent plan to increase employment levels and another 20 percent plan staff reductions. The remaining 10 percent have not determined needs.

The Tulsa area had a more positive hiring outlook for the fourth quarter with 30 percent of the employers planning to increase staff and 20 percent planning reductions, 47 percent expecting no changes and 3 percent undecided.

The Manpower report found that nationwide only 24 percent of employers expect to increase employment levels and 9 percent plan to cut payrolls during the fourth quarter.

Peanut butter and jelly

Oklahoma, known for its western heritage and college football prowess, may soon be able to brag about having the world's largest peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

First lady Cathy Keating said that the huge sandwich will be on the menu Sept. 7 at the Septemberfest celebration at the Governor's Mansion.

"We're going to build it, and they will certainly come," she said.

The sandwich will measure 8 feet by 8 feet and will be made the morning of the festival using Oklahoma products.

It will be sliced into bite-size pieces for Septemberfest visitors after a representative of the Guinness Book of World Records has certified it as a new record, Keating said.

Mike Kubicek, executive secretary of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission, said Shawnee Milling Co. will provide flour and the peanut butter and jelly will come from Clement Foods. El Reno Main Street will provide the oversized oven for preparation of the giant loaf. Visitors are expected to eat the sandwich by 1 p.m.

Promoted at Third Degree

Third Degree Advertising and Communications has announced a round of promotions.

Kelly Mateer was named chief operating officer. She has been with the agency for seven years.

Mickie Lara was promoted to vice president, account director. She has been with the agency for nearly three years.

Bridget Young was named vice president, media director. She has been with Third Degree for six years.

Tara Street was promoted to associate creative director. She has worked at Third Degree for five years.

Kyle Martin was named account executive and has been with the agency with offices at Bricktown for three years.

Kasey Simonich was named media buyer. She has worked with Third Degree for more than a year.

High-speed rail study starts

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Transportation Center have begun an economic benefit study for high- speed rail service between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The study, requested by Sen. Dave Herbert, chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee, will look at the possible advantages of connecting Oklahoma's two major cities with trains running at 150 miles per hour. The study is expected to be finished before the legislative session begins in February, and will be presented to House and Senate Transportation committees.