Strong turnout for French election PARIS, April 22 (UPI) -- Exit polls say voter turnout by midday Sunday was strong in France's presidential election, which pits incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy against nine challengers. By midday, 28.29 percent of voters had cast ballots, and even though that's down from 30.88 percent at the same time during the last presidential election, The Wall Street Journal said it indicates a strong showing. Opinion polls last week suggested Sarkozy trails front-runner Socialist Francois Hollande, 25 percent to 28 percent in an election where the economy and jobs have been key issues, CNN reported. France has had low economic growth and a 13-year high 10 percent unemployment rate. If he loses, he would be the 11th euro-zone head of state ousted since the sovereign-debt crisis began, The Wall Street Journal reported. If no candidate wins an absolute majority in the polls, a runoff between the two front-runners would take place May 6, CNN said. If the election goes to a runoff, polls indicate Hollande would pick up a resounding victory in the second round, The Wall Street Journal reported.