A Voter’s Guide: 10 Facts about Midterm Elections
3. Playing to Your Base
When turnout is low, cross party appeal is not considered. The game becomes one of bringing your base out. This means that both parties beat familiar drums, sound familiar calls, and tackle issues traditionally associated with their base. Whichever party succeeds in getting the most of their people to the polls wins.
Look for Democrats to rally their base with issues about gender, race, or income inequality. Republicans will discuss taxes, industry, and national security. Both will charge that their respective issues will be doomed under the leadership of the other party. This message isn’t meant to appeal to independents or members of the other party.
