The Local Impact Of Uncontested Elections

Update: 2024-09-12

Digest

This podcast episode delves into the phenomenon of uncontested elections, where voters have only one candidate on the ballot. The episode focuses on the prevalence of this issue in rural areas, particularly in Southeastern Missouri, where a strong Republican presence and a near-invisible Democratic party have led to a lack of competition. The episode explores the challenges faced by Democrats in these areas, including social pressure and fear of speaking out. The episode further examines the consequences of uncontested elections, including lower voter interest, reduced accountability of government, and potential for more extreme policies. The discussion highlights the role of primaries in shaping candidates and policies, with primary voters often being more ideologically driven than general election voters. The episode concludes by exploring potential solutions to address the issue of uncontested elections, including investing resources in local offices, addressing the amateur nature of many local positions, and recognizing the influence of interest groups. The discussion also touches upon the concept of the "big sort," where people are geographically segregated by political affiliation, contributing to political imbalance.

Outlines

00:00:00

Uncontested Elections: A Lack of Choice

This episode explores the phenomenon of uncontested elections, particularly in rural areas. The episode features interviews with Michael Wines, a national correspondent for the New York Times, and Barry Burden, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The episode discusses the challenges faced by Democrats in these areas, including social pressure and fear of speaking out.

00:01:59

The Impact of Uncontested Elections

This episode explores the consequences of uncontested elections, including lower voter interest, reduced accountability of government, and potential for more extreme policies. The discussion highlights the role of primaries in shaping candidates and policies, with primary voters often being more ideologically driven than general election voters.

00:02:44

Solutions and Perspectives

This episode examines potential solutions to address the issue of uncontested elections, including investing resources in local offices, addressing the amateur nature of many local positions, and recognizing the influence of interest groups. The discussion also touches upon the concept of the "big sort," where people are geographically segregated by political affiliation, contributing to political imbalance.

Keywords

Uncontested Elections

Elections where only one candidate is on the ballot, leaving voters with no choice. This phenomenon is often observed in local and state-level races, particularly in areas with strong partisan leanings.

Political Polarization

The increasing division and hostility between opposing political groups. Polarization can discourage individuals from running for office or expressing their political views, leading to uncontested races.

Primary Elections

Elections held within a political party to select candidates for the general election. Primaries can influence the ideological leanings of candidates, as they often cater to the most dedicated and extreme voters within their party.

Big Sort

The phenomenon of people geographically segregating themselves based on their political affiliations. The big sort can contribute to uncontested races by creating districts with a strong partisan majority.

Voter Engagement

The level of participation and interest in the electoral process. Uncontested elections can lead to lower voter engagement, as voters may feel their vote is inconsequential.

Government Accountability

The extent to which government officials are held responsible for their actions and decisions. Uncontested elections can reduce government accountability, as incumbents may face less pressure to be responsive to their constituents.

Q&A

What are the main reasons for the increasing number of uncontested elections, particularly in rural areas?
Factors contributing to uncontested elections include strong partisan leanings, social pressure on minority parties, fear of speaking out, and the lack of resources and support for challenging incumbents.
How do uncontested elections impact voter engagement and the accountability of government?
Uncontested elections can lead to lower voter interest and engagement, as voters may feel their vote is inconsequential. It can also reduce accountability of government, as incumbents may face less pressure to be responsive to their constituents.
What are some potential solutions to address the issue of uncontested elections?
Potential solutions include investing resources in local offices, promoting nonpartisan elections, addressing the influence of interest groups, and encouraging greater voter participation and awareness of local races.

Show Notes

You've likely heard the saying "all politics is local." But here's the hitch. For many local offices, there's often just one candidate running in a race. Sometimes, nobody's running at all. In 2022, 67 percent of races went uncontested. That's according to the nonpartisan research organization BallotReady.

That not only leaves voters with a lack of choice, but also raises questions about how and where we choose to live and who influences local policies.

We discuss uncontested races and why they matter.

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