/ Modified aug 31, 2018 10:49 a.m.

Pima County Political Parties Want Higher Voter Turnout

The number of voters is low in midterm elections and local party leaders want to see that change.

I Voted Early Pima County button Pima County encourages voters to vote by mail in this year's elections.
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Voter turnout in Pima County for last week's primary was about 33 percent. Statewide turnout was about 25 percent.

One of the main goals for local Republican and Democratic party leaders is to increase those numbers in the general election in November.

Jo Holt, chair of the Pima County Democratic Party said, people need to remember why voting is important.

"They forget that they actually are the government because that is what we do here in this country," Holt said.

She said better civics and government instruction in high school levels would help increase voter engagement.

The head of the Pima County Republican Party, David Eppihimer, agreed with Holt that civics education would help.

"They think that the government just does everything and they have no knowledge of why and what was behind all of this," Eppihimer said.

Local Republicans and Democrats said they plan to register as many voters as possible before the deadline for the general election.

Voter rolls close Oct. 9. Early ballots will go in the mail in about six weeks.

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