At Kentwood Heights Baptist Church in New Kent County, Shen Mei Reese and her husband, Paul, both requested Republican ballots, but they voted for different candidates.

Shen Mei Reese said her husband had more political reasons for his choice while hers was based on the person’s ethics and integrity.

Despite their difference in opinion, the Quinton couple agreed to participate in the primary.

“If everybody comes out to vote, we have a voice speaking about what we want,“ she said.

New Kent County registrar Gwendolyn Ellyson said turnout appeared to be higher, with 12 percent of registered voters in the county voting just before noon. That is compared with 7 percent in the 2004 Democratic primary.

The phone rang with a call from a poll worker checking on a resident’s registration status.

“It’s just been steady like this all day,“ Ellyson said.

Among absentee voters, 37 requested Democratic ballots while 20 requested Republican ballots, Ellyson said