By Greg Halbleib
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R, Bloomington) won’t be surprised if the upcoming voter turnout is lower than in past presidential election years.
“While both candidates will have their supporters, I don’t see them turning out regular joes who are late to make a decision on who they’re going to vote for,” said Barickman. “I think some of those voters just stay home and say ‘I don’t like the process.’”
Barickman says even if the presidential race is a turn-off, there are many important down-ballot issues including a crucial race for U.S. Senate between Republican incumbent Mark Kirk and Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth. Barickman said Donald Trump isn’t going away if he loses the election.
“I just think within the Republican party, win or lose, he’s a force to be reckoned with,” said Barickman.
Barickman says he has a sense that people just want to get through the upcoming election and have outright disgust with the current political process.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at greg@wjbc.com.
