Republican poll workers in Northern Virginia report a 4 to 1 advantage over their Democratic counterparts when it comes to voters taking their sample ballots. Polling data showing Republicans with a massive advantage has definitely affected voter and volunteer attitudes.
Last year, this blogger noted depressed Republican volunteerism. In 2008, the GOP had unusual difficulty staffing polls and the Democrats had more staffing than usual – sometimes seven or eight volunteers for their party or left-leaning groups. This year, Republicans are energized. At many of the precincts I visited, there were no volunteers for the Democratic party and some polling locations even lacked signs for the Democratic candidates. One volunteer handing out Democratic sample ballots indicated that he was there to support the delegate candidate – and had actually voted McDonnell for Governor.
All in all the GOP is preparing for a fine victory evening with no real surprises. Democratic candidates at all levels are continuing negative ads on election day. Bob McDonnell is running a positive ad in NoVA today. In other news, Larry Sabato is on FOX predicting a McDonnell win and talking about checks and balances.
