There was a strong turnout among voters in North Rhine Westphalia’s state election, with some 36% of voters having cast their ballots by midday, officials said. The figure was marginally higher than the 34% who had voted by the same time in the elections held in the western German state in 2017. Polls show that the government of conservative Hendrik Wüst faces a tough challenge from the Social Democrats (SPD), led by Thomas Kutschaty. The two lawmakers were among those to cast their votes early. Wüst voted in Rhede in Münsterland, with his wife and daughter, while Kutschaty appeared in Essen w…