Will voters turn out this Tuesday?

[Zeus69]

It seems that at least 2/3 of the news cycle is devoted to coronavirus. The demographic that does most poorly if infected are those >60-65. Having comorbidities can drag in a slightly younger, yet still aged, cohort into that risk pool. It’s no secret that Biden polls disproportionately well with older folks.

Anyone concerned that proportion of voters may shift and significantly alter the margins on Tuesday the 17th?

(Sorry if this has been discussed in another post)

[RandySF]

1. The Berners will

Could hurt Biden and Dirksen.

[luvs2sing]

2. Early voting was hot and heavy in Columbus this morning.

[FM123]

3. I don't know.

We have a huge senior citizen population here in South Florida and with all the warnings to stay put and not go out into heavily populated areas, the older voters may not go out to the polls on Tuesday. This might hurt Joe in states like Florida.

[William769]

5. S.W. Florida is a haven for republicans

This senior one of the few in this area will be voting come hell or high water.

[FM123]

9. Yes, SW FL is pretty red now, too bad, I love our west coast especially the Naples area...

Down here we are still pretty blue (Dade, Broward & Palm Beach counties) sure hope to keep it that way! My dad is 91 and he still votes so we just get him a mail-in ballot so he doesn't have to go stand in line. He and I both love Warren but are now voting Biden.

[William769]

10. I went to High school in Naples.

My career was in Miami.

[FM123]

11. It's a small world after all!

[Sunsky]

12. Not a senior but I early voted

Took my mom and three other seniors to vote, my hubby has voted and I can't think of one friend who hasn't. However, there were no lines. We walked in, voted and walked out. We all voted for Biden.
This is my first time voting without a line and I always vote early. I'm worried that folks may be staying home. Although, next week Tuesday Broward schools will be closed and I know of one local University that has suspended classes next week while they convert to fully online classes. Therefore younger voters in Broward will be able to show up on Tuesday.

[FM123]

14. Yep!

I live in Broward county and yes it has been super empty for early voting - on the other hand it has been super packed, crowded and crazy at the grocery stores for early shopping. I sure hope that Tuesday goes well for Joe, even with some seniors staying home from the polls.

[MineralMan]

4. Primary voters, in general are dependable voters.

Last edited Fri Mar 13, 2020, 02:00 PM - Edit history (1)

They will turn out. In most places polling places are not crowded during primary elections, so simple sanitary precautions should reduce the risk to near zero.

In reality, older voters are more likely to show up at the polling place in these conditions. Younger voters will just find the conditions one more reason NOT to participate in our Democratic process.

[Zeus69]

6. To "not" participate?

[MineralMan]

8. Thanks. I edited my post.

[Hortensis]

20. Agree that is most likely, based on decades of

past performance and nonperformance. Plus, older voters will be aware that early voting is typically a quick but leisurely business.

[showblue22]

7. Older voters will walk in broken glass to vote for Biden

watch and see.

[Zeus69]

13. I hope

[djg21]

16. I think you're wrong.

In ordinary circumstances, I’d agree with you wholeheartedly. But this is unquestionably a national health crisis of unprecedented proportion. Seniors are the most vulnerable, and many will not vote if required to go to polling places and risk illness or death. And who will work the polls? Where I vote, the median age of the poll workers in in the mid 70s. And one infected person working at a polling place could infect countless persons. This is a risk that voters shouldn’t need to take. There needs to be a move the allow voting by mail nationwide, and it needs to be soon.

[showblue22]

18. Yean. I take that back

I just read this. This is really shady of Bernie to be taking advantage of this situation knowing he has no path.



https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2020-03-13/exclusive-fewer-poll-workers-coronavirus-spark-fears-of-election-day-woes-in-ohio-democratic-primary

[totodeinhere]

15. That is a very good point.

I already voted in the Nevada caucuses. But if those caucuses were held tomorrow I would think twice about going into a room full of people. And what about voting machines? Who knows who has touched those machines and would you be willing to bet your life on the assumption that the machines were properly disinfected between voters? I would not. I am an older person with preexisting conditions so it's very scary for me.

[rockfordfile]

17. yes

[ThisIsNotPossible]

19. Purely anecdotal, but I see older people out and about

as usual right now. It’s younger people who seem relatively conspicuous by their absence.