Republicans across Shelby County have growing concerns about extremely low early voting numbers — especially in the suburbs.
According to some statistics barely eight percent of registered voters have cast a ballot in early voting.Numbers have been especially low in Bartlett, Collierville, Lakeland and Germantown. Turnout in unincorporated Shelby County was 7.8 percent as of numbers available on Wednesday.
“I’m concerned that Republicans in my district, like the rest of the county, aren’t turning out to vote in huge numbers,” one unnamed candidate told KWAM.
There’s no breakdown of how many of those voters were Democrats or Republicans. Typically, Republicans are more likely to vote on Election Day.“It’s vitally important that people get out and vote,” said nationally-syndicated radio host Todd Starnes. “We need a district attorney in Shelby County who is going to be tough on crime. It’s the most important vote of the election cycle.”
“All Memphians need to do is take a look at San Francisco to realize what a Soros-inspired district attorney would do to our city,” Starnes said. “Do we really want to put the safety of our families in the hands of a person who treats criminals like they are the true victims?”
Dr. Sherrie Hopper, host of KWAM’s popular “Chett and Sherrie Show,” said voter apathy has always been an issue in Memphis. But this election cycle is much worse.“I believe the Republicans have failed to generate excitement because of uncontested primaries, candidates with vague or no platforms, and popular candidates being removed from the ballots,” Hopper said. “Voters may feel like their votes do not really matter when it seems their choice has been made for them.”
“Democrat-lite” is how a number of KWAM listeners have described some of the top candidates.
“Maybe one reason the suburban vote is so low is because the candidates have taken the base of the party for granted,” said on KWAM listener.
