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Posted: May 6, 2008 6:57 PM
High Voter Turnout in Ind., N.C. Expected to Boost Obama
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Heavy voter turnout Tuesday in North Carolina and Indiana prompted a positive outlook for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, who became his party’s front-runner months ago, in part, from his ability to draw new voters to the polls.

In North Carolina — the largest remaining contest of the primary season with 115 delegates at stake — political experts expect about 1.5 million registered Democrats, about 50 percent, to vote, according to the Charlotte Observer. Voter turnout in the state is usually under 31 percent.

High numbers in North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County fare especially well for Obama, since voters there best represent Obama’s ideal demographics — young, black and better-educated voters, the Observer’s Election Day blog reported.

In Indiana, where Obama trailed rival Sen. Hillary Clinton 44 to 49 percent in recent polls turnout has also been high. The Hoosier State holds 72 pledged delegates.

The Indianapolis Star’s Election Day blog recommended voters get in line early because of high turnout in Marion County, where Indianapolis is located.

“I’d recommend they get there right now, bring their ID and prepare to be patient,” Marion County Clerk Beth White told the Star.

Political experts expected a larger turnout this year than in 2004. They predicted a high voter turnout would benefit Obama because it indicates “those who haven’t been politically engaged in the past are coming out,” Indiana University political science professor Russell Hanson told Politico.com. “If that is not happening, then that is working in Clinton’s favor because the traditional [party] machinery is working,” he added.

Obama has spent a considerable amount of the last few days making his final pushes in Indiana, and he had some celebrity help on the campaign trail Monday night at American Legion Mall in Indianapolis from singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder.

The Illinois senator’s election night rally will be held in Raleigh, N.C.