The Journal Gazette, 600 W. Main St., Fort Wayne IN

Voter turnout was heavy Tuesday as Hoosiers flocked to the polls to take part in a historic Democratic presidential primary race.

Local races also drew voters, but nothing like the protracted presidential race that has made Indiana voters matter in a national contest for the first time in decades.

Allen County turnout was 34 percent, according to unofficial results. In the 2006 primary election, turnout was less than 17 percent. At Fort Wayne's Forest Park United Methodist Church, more than 530 voters had cast their ballots by 4 p.m., more than double the number usually seen in a primary - and multitudes more than usually seen in a Democratic primary.

“I've never seen so many Democrats in my life,” said precinct inspector Donna Sefton, who has worked that polling place for 15 years. “This area is mostly Republicans.”

She said most primary elections bring out 200 to 250 voters, almost all of whom pull Republican ballots.

This time, it looked more like a general election - in November, which featured mayoral and City Council races. There were 600 voters by 5 p.m.

Turnout was also heavy at the polls in the Urban League building at Hanna Street and Creighton Avenue. The parking lot was full, supporters of Sen. Barack Obama worked the crowd with a megaphone, and voters were lined up out the door.

More than 540 people had voted by 2:30 p.m., inspector Gene White said.

“For a primary election, it's very high,” White said. “It's been very busy.”

Andre Patterson cast his vote for Obama, saying he thought the senator from Illinois could better unite the country than could Sen. Hillary Clinton. Despite that, he joked easily with two Clinton supporters in the parking lot and complimented their dedication.

“This country, we need to get together if we're going to change anything,” Patterson said. “(Experienced politicians) owe so many favors, how can you get anything done?”

At the Community Center downtown, Trung Trinh was among the steady stream of voters. He got to vote once in his native Vietnam 50 or 60 years ago, he said, but hasn't since. Until Tuesday.

“I didn't know how to vote,” Trinh said. “They showed me.”

Allen County Director of Elections Pam Finlayson said Voter Registration workers were extremely busy as they dealt with voters having trouble finding their voting precincts, but there had been no problems with the voting operations themselves.

“It's quiet like a library up there - which is good,” Finlayson said. “Voter Registration, though, is a hotbed of activity.”

Precinct workers said they were on the phone constantly to Voter Registration officials, trying to help voters having trouble.

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita said turnout was high across the state.

“My office has had discussions with almost all of Indiana's counties today, and reports from the counties indicate a high voter turnout that has been steady throughout the day,” he said in a written statement. “Exact numbers will not be tabulated until after the polls close, but it appears to look more like the turnout for a general election.”

dstockman@jg.net