Midterm election results went nearly as expected in Indiana. The Republican party was able to maintain its supermajority in both chambers of the statehouse after GOP candidates won nearly all of their races.
Professor of Political Science at IU Marjorie Hershey said she has concerns with the lack of party competition not only Indiana, but throughout the U.S., and the impact it has on voter turnout.
“But we’re back to the old pattern, where almost, probably about three quarters of the states are no longer competitive by party,” Hershey said. “They are one party or the other.”
LISTEN TO: Republicans win big on election night
One factor that hinders competition is straight party voting, where a person can select all Democrat or Republican candidates at once. Former Director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Purdue University Fort Wayne Andy Downs said this may have helped some candidates in this midterm.
“I think there’s no doubt that the straight party vote is something that benefits weaker candidates within both parties,” Downs said.
He referred to the Indiana Secretary of State winner Diego Morales as one of the potential benefactors, categorizing the Republican’s victory as a strong showing for a flawed candidate.
