Two local races helped push Marengo County voter turnout to near record levels last Tuesday.

Marengo County Probate Judge Cindy Neilson said countywide turnout was 59 percent; a rate virtually unheard of in most counties.

“I was expecting about 50 percent, or somewhere in there,” Neilson said of her anticipated voter participation. “Nearly 60 percent surprised a lot of people.”

According to Alabama’s Secretary of State Beth Champman, statewide turnout was 57 percent.

“Locally, the sheriff’s race and the commission race in District 5 drew a lot of people to the polls,” Neilson added. “I think everyone anticipated those races being close and it pulled a lot of voters in.”