Georgia 6th: How the rain could affect turnout for Ossoff, Handel.

[Cattledog]

Georgia 6th District voters who haven’t already dashed to the polls should plan on getting very wet when they do cast their ballots, our colleague Ben Brasch reports. And it’s only supposed to get worse as the day goes on.

We don’t have a great sense yet how the weather will factor into turnout. In general, the soggy weather depresses turnout. After all, voters who are not as motivated are less likely to brave traffic-clogged streets amid downpours to cast their ballots. And Republican lore holds that it hurts Democratic turnout in particular.

But it could have a peculiar impact in this race. Ossoff’s campaign has long held that it has the edge in voter enthusiasm – a more committed base of voters who will flock to the polls regardless to support him. Handel’s supporters points to a core of backers who have followed her through thick-and-thin as well.

Still, for Handel’s campaign, this could be a problem. She’s expected to trail Ossoff in the early voting numbers, and hopes for a solid election day turnout to notch a win. But the downpours could dampen voter participation in GOP bastions as well.

http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2017/06/20/georgia-6th-how-the-rain-could-affect-turnout-for-ossoff-handel/

[LisaM]

1. I know that bad weather can and does affect turnout, BUT.....

has it ever stopped anyone here from voting? It wouldn't deter me.

[David__77]

9. I recall in 2008...

Here in California, I had a friend who was talking about how he opposed Proposition 8 (the anti-gay marriage proposition here), and as I recall was protesting against Proposition 8. Then I asked him if he voted, and he indicated that he had not! As far as not voting goes, nothing would surprise me!

[Madam45for2923]

2. The district must know that all eyes are on them!

[hrmjustin]

3. Currently it is raining harder over DeKalb County which is Atlanta.

Cobb county is seeing some rain and Fulton is not seeing as much.

Fulton will be a swing county and Cobb is Handel's territory.

[Cattledog]

4. FYI this is street flooding rain. My phone has been giving me alerts all afternoon.

Double your travel time from work rain. Let's see if they keep the polls open beyond 7p.

[MarvinGardens]

5. Letting up in parts now.

I'm looking out my office window in northern Dekalb, in the southern part of GA-6, and it's pouring, and has been for hours. A look at the radar map shows it's letting up and a light drizzle is falling in north Fulton. Let's hope the trend continues and it lets up in the rest of the district.

I agree, the rain should depress turnout of less enthusiastic voters. It wouldn't stop me, but alas I live in the 7th.

[Cattledog]

6. Ossoff has the early voting lead.

[awesomerwb1]

8. Where are you seeing this?

Just curious, not doubting you or anything.

[Cattledog]

11. From an article in the AJC where

they stated that 140,000 had already voted including 40,000 new voters. And that was where Ossoff had the edge.

[ProudLib72]

7. An excuse for the repukes to claim voter suppression?

Natural voter suppression?

[NightWatcher]

10. Quit complaining and take a kayak to the polls

I could navigate Piedmont south into Buckhead if it were with me.

Stay safe ATL DUers

[Dulcinea]

12. It's pouring here in the ATL.

My weather radio is blowing up with flash flood warnings. I hope a lot of people voted early!

[pnwmom]

13. Good grief. What wimps. No one would ever vote in Seattle if rain mattered.

Even before we went to all mail-in ballots that was true.