Early voting has begun in the 2018 midterm elections. This comes after a record number of people registered to vote in Nueces County.
KRIS 6 News political analyst Dr. David Smith says he expects a 10-15 percent increase in the number of overall voters in the midterm elections. There hasn’t been a turnout like this in years.
“It’s partially because you’re getting some backlash to the Trump administration,” Smith said.
There are also voters who will head to the polls in support of President Donald Trump, and hopes of the GOP keeping control of both the house and senate. Smith points out other factors he feels are driving this election.
“With the explosion of passions and potentially polarization, the parties are so opposite of each other,” Smith said.
The statewide race that is getting the most attention is the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke. Smith says that race in particular is bringing out young and first-time voters.
“I think if you didn’t have someone like that or someone giving Ted Cruz a quality race, then I think voter turnout would be much lower than it will be,” Smith said.
Whatever the political pundits say, it will be the voters who will have the last word.
“This election is really important because, there’s a lot of issues that people need to address,” one voter said.
“I think now there are things that are being voted upon that are affecting certain people,” another added. “So now they’re like ‘Hey, I’m going to get out there.”
Click here for more information on early voting locations, times, or to see sample ballots.
