Early Voter Turnout Down Significantly From 2012

Less than a third of the number of Hoosiers who voted early in 2012 have turned out ahead of Election Day this year.

Only about 4 percent of Hoosiers cast an early ballot by Friday – that’s compared to 22 percent in 2012, and 14 percent in 2010.  Voter turnout in the May primary hit an historic low.  But political analyst Ed Feigenbaum says low turnout doesn’t necessarily help either Republicans or Democrats.

“The thing about low turnout is that almost anything can happen because we just don’t know precisely who’s going to be showing up to the polls,” Feigenbaum says.

He says, generally speaking, low turnout in rural areas, for instance, will probably help Republicans, while fewer voters in Democratic strongholds such as Indianapolis likely gives Democrats a boost. 

State GOP Chair Tim Berry says low turnout is a concern.

“Sometimes you get scary results, unintended results," Berry says. "So that’s why we’re certainly working to push as many voters towards the polls.”

State Democratic Party Chair John Zody says a low turnout election helps no one and that Democrats are invested in voter outreach.