Is Galesburg turning red? More GOP ballots than Democrat cast Tuesday in Galesburg primary

GALESBURG — More Republican than Democrat ballots were cast in Galesburg Tuesday, which hasn't happened since 2014. 

In Tuesday's primary election, 1,731 Republican ballots were cast compared to 1,613 for Democrats. GOP ballots made up 52% of the vote within the city limits and Democrat votes accounted for 48%. 

Election results:Swanson wins Republican primary in new 71st district state representative race

That contrasts from the last primary that had a governor's race, which was April 5, 2018. In that election, 56% of the ballots cast were Democrat. 

Turnout between Tuesday's election (19%) and the 2018 primary (20%) were nearly the same; however, there were 310 fewer registered voters Tuesday. And 188 fewer ballots were cast in Galesburg.

The big swing appears to be the 374 fewer Democrat ballots cast Tuesday compared to four years ago. Republicans, on the other hand, gained 186 more votes than in 2018. 

More Democrat ballots were cast in the 2020 primary (71%), 2018 primary (56%) and 2016 primary (57%) than Republican.

Going back to 2014, however, shows more Republican ballots than Democrat were cast, and by a wide margin. Turnout in that election, which featured an Illinois governor primary, was a measly 14%, and Republican ballots made up 68% of ballots cast. 

Election results:Robertson wins Democratic primary for Knox County Sheriff

There are 17,304 registered voters in Galesburg and 3,344 ballots were cast Tuesday.