67,000 ballots cast in 3 days

More than 67,000 Nevadans cast ballots in the first three days of early voting heading up to the Nov. 2 general election, with the number of Republicans outpacing Democrats in Northern Nevada's largest county and Democrats keeping an edge in the south.

Early voting began Oct. 16 and runs through Oct. 29, four days before Election Day.

Tallies reported Tuesday, encompassing totals through Monday, show 67,409 voters have already been to the polls - 30,000 less than the same time two years ago in the presidential election. Voter turnout is often less in midterm election years.

In Carson City, 2,749 had early voted through Tuesday.

Only Clark and Washoe counties - the state's largest population centers - breakdown the number of Republicans and Democrats who've gone to the polls.

In Clark County, where Democrats hold a 91,663 advantage over the GOP in voter registration, 46,794 ballots have been cast. Of those, 21,676 were from registered Democrats; 18,036 Republicans; and 7,082 nonpartisans.

In Washoe County, which includes Reno, Republicans regained a slim, 846 advantage before the close of registration this fall. Democrats had a 1,278 voter lead two years ago when party enthusiasm ran high with the election of President Barack Obama.

That year, about 60 percent of those who voted cast an early ballot. Total statewide turnout was 80 percent.

This year's early voting figures reflect the tight U.S. Senate race between Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid, seeking a fifth term, and Republican tea party-backed Sharron Angle, who emerged as a surprise victor from a crowded 12-candidate field in the June GOP primary.

Secretary of State Ross Miller predicts turnout for this election at around 60 percent.

Statewide, there are 1.1 million active registered voters, with 470,919 Democrats and 410,811 Republicans. About 175,00 voters are registered as nonpartisan, with the remaining registered as members of minor political parties.