A new Gallup poll suggests voter turnout will be low in November, with higher Republican turnout predicted.
Gallup surveyed 1,250 U.S. adults and found that with less than a month to go before the election only 32 percent were “extremely motivated,” to cast a ballot on Nov. 4. That’s down from 50 percent in 2010, the last midterm election.
Gallup found enthusiasm higher among the GOP, a result that suggests Democrats may have a more difficult time on get-out-the-vote efforts needed to support their candidates.
Among those motivated to vote, 44 percent were Republican and 28 percent were Democrats. The 12-point advantage for the GOP is significantly smaller than the one the party enjoyed in the 2010 “wave” election, when Republicans made up 62 percent of motivated voters surveyed by Gallup prior to the election, compared to Democrats, who made up 42 percent.
Gallup blames overall low voter enthusiasm on the divided government.
“With a Democratic president and divided party control of Congress, there is no clear remedy to inspire voters to change things this year, and that may be keeping Americans’ motivation to vote and enthusiasm about voting in check,” Gallup reported.
The telephone-based poll has a margin of error of plus of minus 4 percentage points.
