In West Valley City, some voters left before casting a ballot because lines were so long and voting officials were so few. Dunn received a phone call from a Cedar City election official who reported similar circumstances, and in St. George, traditionally a Republican hotbed, some voters had an unexpected half-hour wait. But Dunn said they apparently didn't mind the inconvenience.

"They were delighted No. 1," he said, "that there was a line to wait in."

So, why all the fuss over a Democratic primary in a conservative Republican state in the country?

Dunn, whose Democratic committee footed the $30,000 bill because Republican lawmakers refused to appropriate state funds for the election, says it boils down to one thing.

"I think people in Utah are sending a message that they want anybody but Bush," said Dunn. "I just think there's a strong feeling that George Bush is bad for the environment, bad for the economy and bad for education, and it's time for a change."

Interestingly, the state's highest-ranking Democrat didn't even vote in the primary. Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah's lone Democrat in Congress, didn't cast his ballot in person Tuesday or fill out an absentee ballot as voters in Daggett, Piute and Rich counties did. Matheson had to catch a flight to Washington before polls opened, spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend said.

At any rate, she said Matheson has not yet decided whom he will support for the Democratic nomination.

Russell Lallman likes them all. The Salt Lake City resident and avid Democrat was thrilled to see the library lobby packed. He believes Utahns have "a sense of urgency" to defeat Bush.

"I think this gives them (Democrats) a really good shot in the arm," he said. "I haven't seen this many people come to vote even in November. It's one of the most important elections in many years."

Brett Losee, a Democrat from Salt Lake City, also gave his nod to Kerry. "I feel that he's got what it takes to go against Bush," he said. "He has a connection with the people and he's not a bureaucrat."

Losee is hopeful Tuesday's large voting crowds is a sign of things to come in a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

"It kind of makes you feel like a small fish in a big pond. But I feel this gives me a voice," he said. "Who knows if we'll be a Democratic state one day."

Though they called themselves "independently leaning Republicans," co-workers Jim Robson of Salt Lake City and Lisa Mekeel of Saratoga Springs, Utah County, both voted. Robson liked Joe Lieberman even though he is no longer in the race. MeKeel checked Edwards' box, even though she'll likely vote for Bush this fall.