Marion County posted voter turnout that election officials characterized as excellent in Tuesday’s general election.

Of 7,658 registered voters, 4,494 actually voted, making voter turnout 58.7 percent.

Although it was a midterm election, which generally draw lower voter turnout, races for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives had no incumbent candidates. The lack of incumbents may have led to the increased turnout, County Clerk Carol Maggard said.

Republicans won all races in the county, and generally by large margins. State Rep. J. Robert Brookens, R-Marion, said some of the margins surprised him. Brookens was running unopposed after defeating challenger Cheryl Green in the primary.

Republican Jeff Longbine led Democrat Jerry Karr in the race to fill Jim Barnett’s position in the Kansas Senate, 2,550 to 1,074.

Republican Jerry Moran led Democrat Lisa Johnston in the U.S. Senate race, 3,809 to 558.

Republican Tim Huelskamp led Democrat Alan Jilka in the race to replace Moran in the U.S. House of Representatives 1st District seat, 3,362 to 962.

A ballot question regarding expanding language in the Kansas Constitution protecting the right to bear arms received overwhelming support in the county. The tally was 3,832 in support to 390 opposed.

Advance ballots accounted for more than one-tenth of votes cast in the county. There were 575 advance voters, representing 12.8 percent of votes cast.

Marion County Commission will canvass the election Friday. Among other issues, they will address the status of 51 provisional ballots that were not counted Tuesday.