Republican primary turnout was low across Treasure Coast, even compared to 2020 election

Voter turnout was low across the Treasure Coast on Election Day. But how low?

Across the Treasure Coast, turnout was just 22.31%.

The 45,000 voters Tuesday was less than half the roughly 91,000 people who voted in the 2016 Republican primary, the last time there was serious competition to Donald Trump. Moreover, it was even fewer voters than the roughly 47,000 who voted in the party's 2020 primary, when Trump also, by that time, was the presumptive nominee.

The drop comes despite an explosion in the region's population over the last eight years, and gains in registered Republicans, those eligible to vote in the party's primaries.

In all but one local community, voters only had one choice on the ballot: the Republican Presidential Preference Primary.

It featured only one remaining active candidate, former President Trump, who just a week earlier had become the party's presumptive nominee after gaining enough delegates in other states' primaries and caucuses.

The only other race across Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties was a special Town Commission election in Sewall's Point in Martin County, won by former Mayor Vinny Barile.

The state Democratic Party decided late last year to not even hold a presidential primary. President Joe Biden reached presumptive-nominee status last week as well.

Trump most dominant in St. Lucie County

The other six Republicans on Tuesday's ballot, all of whom had suspended their campaigns well before the race came to the Sunshine State, did not fare particularly well anywhere on the Treasure Coast. That said, the former president's dominance was greatest in St. Lucie County.

In fact, second-place finisher Nikki Haley compiled more votes in both Martin and Indian River counties than she got in St. Lucie County, even though St. Lucie has the largest population of the three.

Despite being on the ballot in his home state, Gov. Ron DeSantis finished in third, both across Florida and on the Treasure Coast.

Here's more detail on how the votes broke down in each county:

Indian River County

Turnout in Indian River County was 23.46% on Tuesday, according to the supervisor of elections.

Trump won the county with about 79.9% of the vote, or 10,701 votes.

Haley finished second, with 17.6%, or 2,418 votes.

DeSantis finished third, with 3.1%, or 422 votes.

Chris Christie finished with 1%, or 136 votes; Vivek Ramaswamy finished with 0.2%, or 29 votes; Asa Hutchinson finished with 0.1%, or 15 votes; Ryan Binkley finished with 0.1%, or 10 votes.

St. Lucie County

Turnout in St. Lucie County was 22.7% on Tuesday, according to the supervisor of elections.

Trump won the county with about 85.8% of the vote, or 16,256 votes.

Haley finished second, with 10.5%, or 1,988 votes.

DeSantis finished third, with 2.6%, or 502 votes.

Chris Christie finished with 0.7%, or 140 votes; Vivek Ramaswamy finished with 0.2%, or 38 votes; Asa Hutchinson finished with 0.1%, or 18 votes; Ryan Binkley finished with 0.1%, or 14 votes.

More: Election year finds GOP voter registrations leading Dems on Treasure Coast at new highs

More: Former Mayor Vinny Barile wins Sewall's Point Town Commission seat in special election

Martin County

Turnout in Martin County was 20.63% on Tuesday, according to the supervisor of elections.

Trump won the county with about 77.4% of the vote, or 9,648 votes.

Haley finished second, with 17%, or 2,117 votes.

DeSantis finished third, with 3.8%, or 470 votes.

Chris Christie finished with 1.4%, or 175 votes; Asa Hutchinson finished with 0.2%, or 22 votes; Vivek Ramaswamy finished with 0.2%, or 20 votes; Ryan Binkley finished with 0.1%, or 14 votes.

Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com and 504-331-0516.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Trump, Haley, DeSantis results in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin counties