Not-so super Tuesday as poll fatigue sets in

Another Tuesday, another election.

Today’s primary for state offices such as governor and assembly, and local races including sheriff and county supervisor, make up for some Newport-Mesa voters their fifth polling day since October.

The strain of so many elections, and the election date switch from March back to June, are both expected to affect voter turnout.

The last two primaries, in March of 2002 and 2004, each drew a little more than 41% of registered voters. Although Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley doesn’t usually try to predict turnout, he said Monday he expected today’s participation to be a little smaller than in previous primaries.

“There are a couple of reasons: one is because we’ve had so many elections. The other is because it’s the beginning of summer, people are starting their vacations ? they’ve got other things on their mind,” Kelley said.

And unless you care deeply who becomes state insurance commissioner or controller, there aren’t many races on the ballot to get excited about.

Local Democrats will likely be watching the contest between Steve Westly and Phil Angelides to become the party’s nominee for governor, but there’s not a comparable high-profile race to draw Republicans because no one within the party has challenged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“The top of the ticket drives turnout, and the only thing on the top of the ticket is the Westly-Angelides race,” Newport Beach political consultant Dave Ellis said, and that probably won’t make a major difference in GOP-dominated Orange County.

There are some attention-grabbing races; they’re just a little farther down the ballot. The second district Orange County Supervisor’s seat is a nonpartisan office, but it’s commanded Republican attention. Orange County Treasurer John Moorlach is vying with Stanton City Councilman David Shawver for the seat, which represents a district that includes Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

Some have characterized the race as a choice between Moorlach or public employee unions, which have backed Shawver.

“I think for Republicans, the sheriff’s race and John Moorlach’s race are driving most of the activity,” Orange County GOP Chairman Scott Baugh said.

Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona faces two challengers: Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Hunt and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Ralph W. Martin. Retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Alcaraz recently announced he was dropping out of the race, but his name will appear on the ballot.

Also on the ballot is a measure that would bar Orange County Supervisors from using eminent domain to acquire property and turn it over to private development.

For more information on today’s ballot or to find your polling place, visit www.oc.ca.gov/election.