Even though my preferred candidate did not do well on Super Tuesday, one of the stats that has really been exciting me from last night — voter turnout.
Case in point, this is what I am seeing from Texas with 98% of precincts reporting:
Democratic Primary, vote total: 1,809,625
Comparing that to 2016 for the total Democratic Primary votes: 1,435,895
That is an increase in turnout of 26%!
One caveat that might be worth noting, Texas is an open primary, so it is likely that this number includes some Republican voters, who have no intention of voting for any Dem in November.
However, this is very likely less of a factor than people worry about.
It should also be noted that Texas also had downballot races, such as the primaries for the Congressional seats, as well. So someone voting in the opposing party’s Presidential primaries, would not be able to also vote in the downballot primaries.
But considering there were some stories like this floating around, about some shenanigans in the Texas Dem primary, it is nice to see proof that such tactics were largely ineffective.
In any case, the more that we see voters engaged in the Democratic primary process, the better our chances are for November. If there is anything that is the Republican Party’s true weakness, it is this: motivated, engaged, informed voters.