For months, Texas Republicans have anxiously awaited the arrival of national resources to help boost Ken Paxton, one of the GOP’s most vulnerable Senate candidates.
I think it’s more about mobilizing voters. Yes, voters who are paying attention have chosen their side already, for the most part. Both parties are now going after the apathetic voters.
First, for the non-Americans, not that the “Primary” elections are just to pick the candidates from each major party, and in many cases are not highly contested. So many Americans just skip those. They have 12 to 15% turnout of registered voters, but those elections maybe outright canceled in some districts if neither party has multiple candidates.
For the purposes of this, also ignore elections in odd years. No Federal races are on these ballots.
The even years labeled “Presidential” have over 60% turnout the last few years. But the even years labeled “Gubernatorial” correspond to mid-term elections like this one, because Texas elects their governor at the same time. And note how that turnout is < 50% most years.
The goal of each party in the midterms is to try to motivate the 10%+ of their voters who only pay attention to the Predisential election to show up for this one, while at the same time try to discourage the voters from the other party from making the effort. Margins are so thin right now that even a Democrat can win in Texas if enough of their people show up.
I think it’s more about mobilizing voters. Yes, voters who are paying attention have chosen their side already, for the most part. Both parties are now going after the apathetic voters.
Since we are talking about Texas, I found some data from Texas about voter turnout.
First, for the non-Americans, not that the “Primary” elections are just to pick the candidates from each major party, and in many cases are not highly contested. So many Americans just skip those. They have 12 to 15% turnout of registered voters, but those elections maybe outright canceled in some districts if neither party has multiple candidates.
For the purposes of this, also ignore elections in odd years. No Federal races are on these ballots.
The even years labeled “Presidential” have over 60% turnout the last few years. But the even years labeled “Gubernatorial” correspond to mid-term elections like this one, because Texas elects their governor at the same time. And note how that turnout is < 50% most years.
The goal of each party in the midterms is to try to motivate the 10%+ of their voters who only pay attention to the Predisential election to show up for this one, while at the same time try to discourage the voters from the other party from making the effort. Margins are so thin right now that even a Democrat can win in Texas if enough of their people show up.
Thanks. I understand why Texas “might” not actually be as Republican as they’re perceived…