Close race in Nev. early voting

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS

Nevada Democrats and their union allies appear to have blunted a surge of Republican enthusiasm in early voting, confirming a close race between Republican tea-party favorite Sharron Angle and Majority Leader Harry Reid, figures showed Saturday.

Two weeks of early voting that ended Friday provide only a barometer of turnout — it’s far from conclusive with Election Day to come. The early numbers confirm Republicans are fired up to deny Reid a fifth term, but Democrats are getting to the polls in significant numbers, too.

Statewide, Democrats hold about a 60,000-vote registration edge over the GOP, and the decisive factor Tuesday is likely to be the state’s independent voters.

In Democratic-leaning Clark County, home to seven of 10 Nevadans, Republicans account for 33 percent of the voters but turned out 37 percent of those casting early or mail-in ballots, according to preliminary figures.

Democrats in Clark County account for about 45 percent of voters, but turned out 46.2 percent of those casting early ballots, the figures showed.