Low voter turnout expected in Aug. 15 Senate primary

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said he’s expecting a low voter turnout for next Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary.

Merrill said Monday he is projecting 20-25 percent of voters will go to the polls on Aug. 15 for the special election to fill former U.S. Sen. Jeff Session‘s seat. Merrill said a primary typically brings out 30-32 percent of voters.

With just over a week before election day, new polling last week showed an incredibly tight contest has developed between former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore and sitting U.S. Sen. Luther Strange. The two Republican hopefuls face a full slate of competitive challengers, including U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, state Sen. Trip Pittman and Christian Coalition leader Randy Brinson.

With such a tight race between the top candidates, a Sept. 26 runoff is expected. Alabama requires a primary runoff unless a given candidate is able to exceed the 50 percent threshold.

The Republican and Democratic nominees will face off Dec. 12 in a general election.