Political pundits believe Senate runoff will see high voter turnout

ATLANTA — Most political pundits believe voters have already made up their minds of who they want to vote for in December’s runoff election for the U.S. Senate.

Metro elections officials told Channel 2′s Richard Elliot they believe there’s still enough enthusiasm to create high voter turnout.

As Dominique Lewis packed groceries into his minivan, he told Elliot that he’s growing a little bit tired of the months-long election cycle.

“A little bit, because some campaign ads are a little bit childish. I’m not even going to lie to you,” Lewis said.

Voter fatigue can always be a factor when candidates are facing a runoff, especially after a long election year. So it’ll be important for both the incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger Herschel Walker to keep their base engaged and mobilized.

“That’s the thing about runoff elections. It’s the turnout that usually dips down,” Kennesaw State University political science professor Kerwin Swint said.

“Runoffs cause voter fatigue, traditionally,” Morehouse College political science professor Adrienne Jones said.

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Swint thinks voters have been so engaged lately that turnout will remain high.

“I think voters are tired and frustrated, but I think they’re going to come back out and vote. You know, I think they see how important this race is,” Swint said.

Jones thinks the high turnout we’ve seen so far will continue.

“There’s a possibility we’re going to see incredible turnout again, at least for a runoff, and that voters aren’t going to get tired and sit back and not turnout,” Jones said.

Lewis said despite being a little bit tired he will go and vote again.

“Most definitely, because it always helps to vote even if you don’t think it’s going to make a big change. It does make change,” Lewis said.

The runoff election is Dec. 6. Early voting starts Nov. 28.

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