Still, the researchers noted, almost half the places with statewide primaries this year recorded their lowest turnout rates in history.

The more normal turnout in statewide primaries is 25 to 40 percent.

In the last statewide Democratic primary, the 1982 race for secretary of the state nomination, only 16.7 percent of the party members voted.

The county leaders controlled the nominating conventions, and there were no statewide primaries.

For the last generation, the most liberal candidate has always been a good bet to win a statewide Democratic primary in New York.

The first Republican statewide primary was held in 1926, but drew only 15,239 voters.

General annoyance with this system of selecting leadership by a few people, led to statewide primaries in 1916.

They were the Senator's first victories in statewide primaries.

All four of the candidates are from the City, where about 60 percent of the vote is usually cast in statewide Democratic primaries.

Abortion opponents, one must not forget, are an important block of voters, particularly in a statewide Republican primary.