2018 Runoff Election: Numbers And Reactions

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Associated Press is reporting more than 888,000 votes cast statewide in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate runoff election.

Incredible numbers for a runoff.

Oktibbeha County had its highest runoff turnout to date, with just over 50% of voters returning to the polls.

Lowndes County had 46% turnout.

The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office says the statewide general election runoff is unique.

So, what sparked all the interest?

Intense national attention, campaigning, even social media all played roles.

“We don’t normally get half of the turnout that we have in the general election to come back out for a runoff,” says Lowndes County Circuit Clerk, Teresa Barksdale.

“The runoff election has significant stakes. So many runoff elections are sort of sleeping affairs and voters realize that, “Oh, we have to vote again? And, I thought we already voted for these people. And, oh whatever, you know, it’s not that important.’ But, this time, it really seemed to be that important,” says MUW Political Science Professor, Dr. Brian Anderson.

Comparing the numbers is difficult, because there hasn’t really been a statewide general election runoff of this size.

The only race that even comes close was the 2014 statewide Republican primary and runoff between Chris McDaniel and Thad Cochran.

2018 may be the new benchmark.

“275,000 more people voted on November 6th, than they did back in 2014.”

So what makes this race stand out?

Anderson believes everything from the President’s recent visit to Tupelo, to the national spotlight, to Republicans losing the House, all sparked voters to return to the polls.

He also says there was a real contrast in what Cindy-Hyde Smith and Mike Espy had to offer for the state.

“They were able to bring it before the people in a way that allowed the voters to see a difference. The debate last Tuesday, certainly helped and so it gave us a sense that we had a real choice and it wasn’t just a lesser of two evils.”

Voter education efforts and letting people know the races weren’t over helped drive the return to the polls.

“I just think both candidates worked hard to encourage people, and you know, with social media now, it is so much a part of us that I think that had a huge factor in it, you know, and I think that candidates just encouraged all of their supporters to get back out.”

“People have shown so much importance through social media. I think recently, like especially Twitter, I’ve seen a lot of things on there and I think people are understanding how important it is now, and I think some of the comments that some of the people who were running made, I think that maybe could have possibly had an impact on that, as well,” says voter, Peighton Mays.

MUW student Jordyn Mays is three hours away from home.

She didn’t cast an absentee ballot for the general election, but she made sure her vote was counted in the runoff.

“After the general, well I knew that this election was very serious and I saw that it was a runoff, so I was like okay, I have to get a little more serious.”

Numbers from this runoff are comparable to some past Gubernatorial races.