Mobile County yields low voter turnout in 2024 presidential primaries
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) —The Mobile County Probate Court said they expect a lower voter turnout for the 2024 presidential primaries compared to years past.
While the dreary weather likely contributed to the lack of voters, Probate Court Judge Don Davis said the best way to predict voter turnout is found in absentee ballots. He said the fewer number of absentee ballots cast, the lower the turnout.
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Judge Davis listed two other factors that likely contributed to low voter turnout: aggressive political ads and redistricting.
Voters WKRG News 5 spoke with Tuesday disagreed that political ads were more aggressive this year. According to voter Ralph Davis, things have been similar to past years.
“I’ve been voting here ever since 10 or 12 years now,” voter Ralph Davis said. “This is normal for me to come here.”
Redistricting also did not seem to play a part in why Both Ralph Davis and Steve Fledderman said they were aware of the changes made to Congressional districts across the state, but that doesn’t mean they agreed.
“I live right here in District 1, but I’m not in favor for it,” Fledderman said “I think it should have stayed like it was.”
Even though he disagreed, Fledderman says he still voted since it is an important right.
“Democracy is important because it keeps America free,” Fledderman said.
Other poll-goers acknowledged the importance of exercising the right to vote.
“The people need a voice, and the general public needs a voice,” voter Ethan Watts said. “They need to be able to voice their opinions of who they want in office and what kind of laws and all this other kind of stuff.”
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In the 2016 presidential primary, almost 100,000 people voted in Mobile County, making up 37.6% of registered voters. In the 2020 presidential primaries, an election in the middle of a pandemic, almost 90,000 voters casted a ballot, accounting for 29% of the registered voters.
The Probate Court has not released an official voter turnout report for the 2024 presidential primaries at this time. Polls close at 7 p.m.
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