North Dakota primary election under way

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Some polling sites are seeing strong turnouts as voting gets under way in North Dakota's primary election.

The Forum reports early turnout is brisk in Fargo, the state's largest city. In the capital of Bismarck, poll site inspector Margaret Swenson says she hasn't seen so large an early turnout outside of a presidential election. She says 120 voters showed up in the first two hours. She says the four ballot measures are drawing voters.

The measures include contentious proposals to retire the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname, abolish property taxes and make it tougher for the state to regulate religious practices.

There also are Republican primary races for U.S. House and Senate, and three people are vying for two November ballot spots to run for state school superintendent.

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