Voter turnout during Tuesday's primary election was higher than expected in some areas of southern Illinois.
Several counties had to print additional ballots to accommodate the higher numbers.
John Jackson of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute says the interest in the presidential race is bringing more people to the polls.
"It's usually the other way around in the primary. You got to have a hot, local race to bolster primary turnout."
Jackson says the higher turnout is benefitting the Republican Party more than the Democrats.
"Certainly it all surrounds Donald Trump and the incredible role that he has played as well as originally starting with 17 candidates and each one being whittled down. All of which has made for dramatic television and news."
Jackson says he was surprised that Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary by such a narrow margin. He says it points out the challenge both parties will have in unifying their forces for the General Election.
As far as President Obama's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, Jackson says the Chicago-native is an excellent choice.
"This judge is a model for what you look for for either an Appellate Court judge, which he is now, or to put onto the Supreme Court. He has the standard, very high level credentials that Presidents appoint to the Supreme Court."
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has already told Garland that Republicans will not act on his nomination. Jackson says this proves this whole thing is about politics, not Garland's credentials.
