Voter turnout: State Reports High Turnout for Montana Primary

HELENA – The secretary of state says 45 percent of registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday's primary, the highest since 1994.

Brad Johnson says the figure is an indication of enthusiasm that surrounded the primary that featured a meaningful battle between Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

He also credited local election officials with running a smooth, efficient election and minimizing lines.

Johnson says the 45 percent turnout is the highest since the National Voting Rights Act changed how voter turnout statistics are measured.

A total of 630,698 Montanans are registered to vote. Approximately 285,450 of those cast ballots.