Are people this apathetic about the upcoming midterm elections? Could be.
In recent midterm cycles, interest in the races went up between June and October. This year, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, it’s dropped.
Not a big drop--from 51 percent in June to 50 percent this month. But, a Journal poll analysis noted, “In the last two midterm cycles in 2006 and 2010, interest in the election increased dramatically between June and October of the election years, rising to 61 percent from 55 percent in 2006 and to 61 percent from 51 percent in 2010.”
The survey, conducted by Republican pollster Bill McInturff and Democratic pollster Fred Yang, found that groups traditionally backing Republicans--voters over 65, tea party supporters and white men--remain more enthusiastic.
“Those findings are unsurprising, given that midterms tend to draw older, white voters, giving Republicans an advantage,” the poll analysis said.
Democratic-leaning groups with more enthusiasm include African-Americans and people earning less than $30,000 annually. But independent voters, young voters and President Barack Obama supporters were less so.