• disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      The Overton Window shift in the US is mostly due to persistent low primary attendance.

      Congressional primaries have seen <15% attendance for the last 40 years. Retirees never miss a vote, and have very different needs than the working class. They’re the ones who have been packing our ballots with centrists and conservatives.

      We should be voting twice every two years, not once every four, for federal elections alone. Sign up for mailers if you forget. Research the candidates on the ballot, rather than relying on advertising to coerce you into doing your civic duty.

      • TheFogan@programming.dev
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        2 days ago

        currious of the chicken/egg scenerio when it comes to candidates on the ballot though. IE is there only one candidate in the primaries because no one is going to vote anyway, or is no one going to the primaries because only one person is on the ballot.

      • devdoggy@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        So, what do you think of Minnesota? We have/still have higher than most states for voter turn out. 76% of our state turned out for the 2024 election and that I consider low!!

        • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          I’m referring specifically to the congressional primaries. That’s where we replace the centrist Democrats with progressives who will move the Overton Window back towards the left.

          Looks like you had 15.1% statewide in 2024

          primary

          • devdoggy@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            Do you consider that to be a higher amount or a lower amount? I saw that our state fluctuates between 9-28?

            • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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              2 days ago

              Unfortunately, 15% is above the national average for congressional primaries. That’s all we need to change to change the Democratic Party. All the funding in the world won’t matter if we all take it upon ourselves to research the candidates on the ballot and show up at the polls.

              For a point of reference, Mamdani broke the record for NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary turnout with just 30%, up from 21% last election. We just need to outnumber the retirees.

              • devdoggy@lemmy.world
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                2 days ago

                Damn, 30%?? That’s all it took?? What the fuck is wrong w. Sorry, sorry. I know. I know. Damn it, Americans…

  • Fleur_@aussie.zone
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    2 days ago

    Well not really because both parties are moving in the same direction just one is a little faster/energetic than the other