Four states held presidential primaries on April 2, with Presidents Biden and Trump emerging victorious in their respective parties. Despite this, voter turnout and behavior suggest that not all voters are completely satisfied. President Trump gained 179 convention delegates, while President Biden added 436 to his total. Both candidates had already secured their party’s nomination numerically on March 12, but the recent contests offer insights into the dynamics of their upcoming rematch.
In the Republican primaries, some voters showed hesitation towards President Trump, with a significant number in each state opting for candidates like Nikki Haley or voting uncommitted. President Trump faced the most opposition in Wisconsin, where Ms. Haley garnered substantial support. In New York, President Trump received overwhelming support, but Ms. Haley still captured a portion of the votes.
Similarly, in the Democratic primaries, some voters expressed dissatisfaction with President Biden by voting uncommitted or blank. Activists in Wisconsin urged voters to support an “uninstructed delegation” in protest of U.S. policies towards Israel. This sentiment was echoed in New York, where blank votes were seen as a form of protest.
Wisconsin also saw significant changes to its constitution regarding election integrity, with voters approving amendments to limit private donations and ensure that only designated officials can handle election tasks. These amendments were partly motivated by concerns over outside influence in the 2020 election, particularly from organizations like one founded by Mark Zuckerberg.
Overall, the recent primaries and amendments indicate a complex political landscape with varying degrees of voter satisfaction and engagement.
Democrats in Wisconsin have generally opposed the referenda. Those opponents include State Sen. Mark Spreitzer, who represents the 15th District.
“[These questions] stem from conspiracy theories around the 2020 election,” Mr. Spreitzer wrote on X.
“The fact is, [Wisconsin] hasn’t done enough to cover local governments’ election costs—so stopping clerks from receiving grants or donations will have a big negative impact,” he added.
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisc.) was part of a pre-primary video message about the referenda issue released by the Wisconsin GOP on X, formerly Twitter.
“For years, out-of-state private interests have interfered in our elections and unfairly tipped the scales against conservatives by pumping money into election offices,” Mr. Tiffany said in the video.
By presenting the initiatives as constitutional amendments, Republicans in the state’s GOP-dominated legislature avoided any chance of a veto by Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat.
4. Voter Turnout Lower Than Usual
Voter turnout in the four states holding presidential primaries was down significantly from the 2020 primary season, with numbers more closely resembling participation in a mid-term election year.
In years when both parties hold contested primaries, participation rates of around 25 percent are typical. In off-year elections, that number can dip to 15 percent or below.
In 2016, the last year when both major parties held a presidential primary in New York, just under 2.9 million voters took part. This year, projections based on early returns indicate that the total number of voters could be less than 700,000.
New York’s primary elections are closed, meaning that only voters who have previously registered with a political party may vote in that party’s primary elections.
In Wisconsin, a state in which any registered voter may take part in either the Democratic or the Republican primary, more than 1.5 million voters participated in the 2020 primary election.
This year, projections based on early returns indicate that the total may be less than 1.2 million.
Voter turnout varies widely from state to state, partly because of the differing rules for participation.
The below-average turnout may be attributable to the virtual certainty that Presidents Biden and Trump will be the nominees of their respective parties. Inclement weather may also have affected voter participation, as it rained throughout the day in Wisconsin and in the Northeast.
Even so, some voters were astonished at the low turnout.
“I’m just surprised,” a voter from Racine, Wisconsin, told The Epoch Times after emerging from the polling site. “It’s really empty in there. It’s an important election. I’d just think more people would be here.”
Presidential primaries have yet to be held in 12 U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia. The Republican National Convention is slated for July 14-18. The Democratic National Convention will be held August 19-27.
Juliet Fairley contributed to this report.
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“The company plans to launch a new product in the market next month.”
“The company has scheduled the release of a new product in the market for next month.”
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