What motivates voters to turn out?
A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics survey asked registered voters in Utah what factor most motivated them to vote in recent elections.
- 55% voted because it's their civic duty.
- 14% wanted to support a candidate.
- 14% wanted to vote against a candidate.
- 11% voted to support a policy.
- 3% wanted to vote against a policy.
Why it matters: Adam Dynes, assistant professor of political science at Brigham Young University, said Trump's presence on the ballot in 2020 likely increased voter turnout from both those who strongly supported and strongly opposed him.
Democrats are more than twice as likely than Republicans to say they were motivated to vote against a particular candidate in the most recent elections.
The upcoming election for the seat held by Sen. Mike Lee is another case where some voters may be motivated by opposition to a candidate. Last month, the Utah Democratic Party chose to back independent candidate Evan McMullin instead of nominating its own candidate.
“If the strategy is to try to increase the probability of beating Mike Lee, I think it was probably their best route,” Dynes said of the party’s decision.
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