(Editor's note: This story has been updated. A previous version included an image of an individual not subject to this article).
Even though overall voter turnout was low in Tuesday's primary in St. Clair County (15%) and in East St. Louis (22%), Republicans were clearly more motivated to cast ballots.
With 173,368 registered voters, St. Clair County - which counts votes separately from East St. Louis - turnout was 57-43 Republican to Democrat; East St. Lous, with 15,022 registered voters, turnout was 99-1 Democrat to Republican.
In two judicial circuit races, even the predictably solid Democrat base in East St. Louis did not put its candidates ahead of Republican counterparts in a hypothetical direct match.
Both races were uncontested, and the outcomes of the primary simply secured placement for the candidates on the general election ballot.
For the vacancy of former circuit judge Ron Duebbert, sitting judge, by appointment, Republican Bill Stiehl earned 12,055 votes in St. Clair County and 29 votes in East St. Louis, for a total of 12,084.
Democrat Associate Judge Patrick Foley earned 9,537 votes in St. Clair County and 2,230 votes in East St. Louis for a total of 11,767.
Stiehl's vote count bested Foley's count by a margin of 51-49.
For the vacany of former circuit judge Stephen McGlynn, attorney Paul Evans earned 11,900 votes in St. Clair County and 27 votes in East St. Louis, for a total of 11,927. Democrat Associate Judge Kevin Hoerner earned 9,565 votes in St. Clair County and 2,201 votes in East St. Louis for a total of 11,766.
Evans' vote count bested Hoerner's county by a razor thin margin of 50.3-49.7