In a tight political race, voter turnout can mean the difference between a win and a loss. That could be the case in the battle for Kentucky's U-S Senate seat. Opinions vary on the factors which impact the process of moving a person from political spectator to participant.
The importance of voter turnout is not lost on either candidate running for Kentucky's U-S Senate seat. The impact of political ads on the number of people who show up at the polls on Election Day, may be a matter of opinion.
During a recent stop in Richmond to announce funding for an anti-drug effort, Kentucky U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said the more aggressive the campaign, the higher voter turnout. McConnell doesn't believe negative ads work to substantially drive down voter response. "No, it's interesting. A lot of people say that, but there's a correlation between how much activity there is and how much spending, and mailing, and all the rest. A direct correlation between how much is spent and how much is turned out, so the sleepier the race is the lower the turnout is," said McConnell.
Challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes rallied her troops in Estill County earlier this month. Likewise, Grimes is putting a lot of stock in efforts to raise voter turnout next week. "It's our grassroots organization that will be carrying this race across the finish line successfully. The momentum and energy that we have seen across this state, republicans, democrats, independents, coming together to finally give the middle class of Kentucky a fighting chance of surviving," said Grimes.
Political scientists have studied voter attitudes regarding campaign tactics for years. Joe Gershtenson, professor in Eastern Kentucky University's Department of Government, says traditionally, studies show negative ads work to decrease voter attendance on Election Day. "Well, you want turnout, but you only want it from your supporters, so you're perfectly content if there's a low overall turnout, as long as the turnout among your supporters in high," explained Gershtenson.
Gershtenson says, obviously, voter turnout is more important in a close race like that being waged for Kentucky's U.S. Senate seat. He views any tactic designed to reduce voter turnout as a black eye on the democratic process. "I think anything that keeps turnout down works against a true democracy. In a true democracy, in my view, the higher the participation rate, the more we approach a true democracy," said Gershtenson.
Many residents are taking in the various sights and sounds of the 20-14 election. In downtown Richmond, Joe Smith is ready to cast his vote. "I have a very strong belief that my vote will count and, if I don't vote, then I don't have any room to say anything. So I want to voice my opinion with my vote," said Smith.
Just a few miles up the road in Lexington, 23 year old Terry Cordray is not planning on casting a vote next Tuesday. Cordray's reasons are clear. "As far as like senators and everything else go, I just don't think any of them are actually listening to anybody when it comes to anything. They don't really care about anyone but themselves, so, and that's everyone, republican-democrat, they're all the same way," said Cordray.
Voter turnout is difficult to predict. A look at absentee balloting can sometimes give an indication of voting prospects. Current figures from the State Board of Elections show 22,390 people have voted absentee at their county clerk's office. That's about 4,500 more people than at this time in 20-10, the last time a U.S. Senate seat was on the ballot. ?
