Michael Barone: "Virginia Republican turnout way up"

Michael Barone, senior political analyst for The Washington Examiner, noted the exceptionally high turnout in the Virginia primary:

Primary turnout is a useful measure of enthusiasm, particularly in a state with no party registration. Take Virginia 8, the heavily Democratic Northern Virginia district just across the Potomac River from Washington. This is the only district in Virginia that has had a contested Republican primary in the last three congressional elections. Turnout in 2006 was 4,409 and turnout in 2008 was 5,863. Turnout in Tuesday’s primary, with 2 of 156 precincts yet to report, was 13,531. In other words, more than double 2008 and triple 2006; and more than both put together. Another indicator of Republican enthusiasm this year.

Check Virginia Virtucon for all the results.