As expected, the voter turnout for today's primary in the Fourth Congressional District has been extremely low.  Democrats Lee Whitnum and party-endorsed Jim Himes are vying for the nomination to unseat longtime Republican incumbent Chris Shays.  As of 3 o'clock just over 300 of the town's 6,000 Democrats have cast their ballots. 

"12 years in the Registrar's seat and I've never seen this kind of a turnout," says Westport Registrar Nita Cohen.

It's the same picture elsewhere in the district.  Of Norwalk's 15,000 Democrats about 420 voted as of 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

"It's been slow.  We've gotten to know each other very well in the office today," laughs Norwalk Democratic Registrar Betty Bondi.

The low turnout is being attributed to many people being away on summer vacation.  Local elections officials say summer primaries always see a small response.  Greenwich is expected to have the highest turnout, as both candidates reside there.