Huge turnout raises Dem hopes for a wave
By Reid Wilson - 11/05/18 06:01 AM EST
New poll results and a surge of younger and first-time voters heading to the polls in the days leading up to Election Day have Democrats considering the possibility that a big blue wave is about to crest over the midterm elections.
For months, polls have showed voters -- both Democrats and, especially in recent weeks, Republicans -- are rabidly enthusiastic about the midterm elections, excited to show up and cast a ballot.
Now, actual results are proving those polls correct. More than 34 million people have already cast their ballots early or by absentee.
That is a more than 50-percent increase over the total number of early votes cast in the 2014 midterm elections, an unprecedented spike in which voter turnout in some states is rivaling typical turnout levels in a presidential year.
Turnout is up among all age cohorts, racial groups and educational categories. Older voters still make up a disproportionately large segment of the electorate.
But turnout has increased the most among younger voters, minorities and people who rarely or never vote. Among voters aged 18-29, turnout is up in 39 of 41 states for which data is available, said John Della Volpe, who directs polling for Harvard University's Institute of Politics. For voters aged 30-39, turnout is up in all 41 states where data is available.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/414832-huge-turnout-raises-dem-hopes-for-a-wave
