Voters Head to the Polls in Off-Year Elections
Democratic and Republican candidates faced off on Tuesday in off-year elections as both parties sought to build momentum for 2024. Kentucky voters narrowly reelected incumbent Governor Andy Beshear in a hard-fought contest over Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Beshear overcame an unfavorable political landscape for Democrats in the Bluegrass State and used abortion rights to drive Democratic turnout. Meanwhile, Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves survived a competitive challenge from Democratic upstart Brandon Presley. Reeves was able to overcome personal unpopularity and corruption charges to notch the GOP win.
Who is Brandon Presley’s famous relative?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Voters Head to the Polls in Off-Year Elections
Videos
News Articles
New poll asserts Kentucky governor race a dead heat between Beshear, Cameron
Kentucky Public Radio
11/3/23
AP Election Brief | What to expect in Kentucky’s general election
Associated Press
11/3/23
How the outcome of the 2023 governor’s race might not be known for days after Election Day
Mississippi Today
11/3/23
https://mississippitoday.org/2023/11/03/governors-race-results-may-take-days/
Reeves vs. Presley: What to know about Mississippi’s governor debate
SuperTalk Mississippi Media
11/1/23
https://www.supertalk.fm/reeves-vs-presley-what-to-know-about-mississippis-governor-debate/
Ohio Democrats are leading vote-by-mail ballots in election on abortion, marijuana
Ohio Capital Journal
11/3/23
What to expect when Ohio votes on abortion and marijuana
Spectrum News 1
11/3/23
Virginia’s legislative contests may be the most important races in 2023
ABC News
10/26/23
https://abcnews.go.com/538/virginias-legislative-contests-important-races-2023/story?id=104299286
Virginia voter guide: What you need to know for the 2023 general election
WTOP
11/3/23
Assessment
Writing: Explain why Governor Beshear sought to distance himself from President Biden. What might Beshear’s strategy and subsequent victory say about a future White House run?
Debate: Does Governor Reeves’ narrow victory a sign of renewed Democratic strength in Mississippi or a result of a weak candidate?
Poll: Is abortion a losing issue for Republicans even in so-called Red States?
Short Answer: What color is used for a state like Virginia that alternates between supporting Democrats and Republicans?
News Quiz
True/False
Ohio was asked to consider legalization of marijuana, but only for medicinal purposes. (T/F)
Ohio Democratic and nonpartisan voters topped Republicans in early mail voting. (T/F)
Governor Youngkin’s approval rating in Virginia is in the mid 50 percent range (T/F)
Multiple Choice
Governor Beshear is related to which well-known Kentuckian?
- former Governor Steve Beshear
- actor George Clooney
- Harland “Colonel” Sanders
- Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari
How many Republican governors has Kentucky elected in the last 50 years?
- zero
- one
- two
- three
What change in the electoral process might delay resolution of the governor’s race in Mississippi?
- candidates for governor can now win the election with less than 50 percent of the vote
- candidates for governor must get more than 50 percent of the vote which might necessitate a runoff election
- candidates for governor must win the popular vote and win in every congressional district in the state
- candidates can win the election by winning only congressional districts and losing the popular vote
