Local Republicans concerned about voter turnout in midterm election

Local Republican legislators, candidates, and party organizers are expressing concern over low voter turnout for the midterm election in November. “Republican voters who stay home elect Democrats,” Muscogee County Republican Chair Ricky Weeks told a crowd gathered at the Republican headquarters near Midland Commons Thursday night. The event provided an opportunity for voters to meet face to face with local Republicans and ask them direct questions.

State Senator Randy Robertson slammed the dismal turnout for the Republican primary in May. “It’s obvious when we have a city the size of Columbus, with as many registered voters as we have, I think it’s embarrassing that less than 29% come out and vote in a race, whether it’s a mayor’s race, whether it’s a governor’s race, or any other type of race, did these individuals who are registered to vote choose to stay at home and be silent?”

The current toxic political climate is not helping local Republican’s efforts on the campaign trail according to Representative Carmen Rice. Rice said in part “there’s so much negativity, there’s so much vitriol going on. And I believe, by and large, people are just tired, and the fatigue we’re seeing, the lack of people, the low percentage showing up to vote is because they are tired of people just beating up on other candidates, for sport, sport or for gain of votes, and they are, you got to listen to their heart, what matters to them.”

Long time State Representative Vance Smith was asked what he can do to motivate people to get to the ballot box in November.  “I wish I knew what the answer was. Every time I speak, I talk about voter turnout every time I speak and how important it is. And look, it’s a right. Everybody should go vote. I don’t care if you’re voting independent, Democrat or Republican. Of course, I’d love for you to vote for me as a Republican, but that’s a right that we have, that people defend our country, and for us to have our freedom. I wish people would go to the polls.”

Every single member of the local Republican delegation faces opposition on the ballot for the November 3 election.