Voter interest is at a record low for tonight's midterms
Despite tonight's midterm elections being the most expensive in American history, voter interest is at a record low.
Though the GOP expects wins in both the House and the Senate, some Senate races are likely to be too close to call. Voters are deeply divided about what President Obama should do during his final two years in office, and surveys have shown that voter interest is much lower than it was in the elections four years ago.
An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 58 percent of Republicans were interested in the midterm campaigns, as were 57 percent of Democrats, as of late October. But at the same time in 2010, 70 percent of Republicans were interested, and two-thirds of Democrats were interested in 2006.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The New York Times predicts likely runoffs in Georgia and Louisiana's Senate races, and late vote counts in Alaska, Colorado, and Iowa. Uncertainty about the midterms, according to the Times, is "a fitting match for the mood of the nation," as concerns about the economy, ISIS, and Ebola reach a fever pitch. Both parties "have done little to inspire the electorate," the Times notes, with both Republicans and Democrats lacking defined platforms.
Whatever the outcome of tonight's events, the Times says, it is "not likely to result in a drastic change of policy." Obama will still defend his health care law, and Republicans will either compromise or work against him.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
The history of US nuclear weapons on UK soilThe Explainer Arrangement has led to protests and dangerous mishaps
-
Tea with Judi Dench: ‘touching’ show is must-watch Christmas TVThe Week Recommends The national treasure sits down with Kenneth Branagh at her country home for a heartwarming ‘natter’
-
Codeword: December 24, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
-
CBS pulls ‘60 Minutes’ report on Trump deporteesSpeed Read An investigation into the deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador’s notorious prison was scrapped
-
Trump administration posts sliver of Epstein filesSpeed Read Many of the Justice Department documents were heavily redacted, though new photos of both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton emerged
-
Trump HHS moves to end care for trans youthSpeed Read The administration is making sweeping proposals that would eliminate gender-affirming care for Americans under age 18
-
Jack Smith tells House of ‘proof’ of Trump’s crimesSpeed Read President Donald Trump ‘engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election,’ hoarded classified documents and ‘repeatedly tried to obstruct justice’
-
House GOP revolt forces vote on ACA subsidiesSpeed Read The new health care bill would lower some costs but not extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies
-
Hegseth rejects release of full boat strike footageSpeed Read There are calls to release video of the military killing two survivors of a Sept. 2 missile strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat
-
Trump vows naval blockade of most Venezuelan oilSpeed Read The announcement further escalates pressure on President Nicolás Maduro
-
Kushner drops Trump hotel project in SerbiaSpeed Read Affinity Partners pulled out of a deal to finance a Trump-branded development in Belgrade
