Voters' knockout punch comes with straight-party votes

Abilene Reporter-News - Incumbents — particularly Democratic incumbents, this year — are vulnerable when straight-ticket ballots are cast because voters aren’t thinking about the merits of individual candidates, said Craig Goodman, assistant professor of political science at Texas Tech University.

To get an idea of the intensity of the Republican wave that swept the nation this election cycle, look no further than the number of straight-party ballots cast this year.

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Incumbents — particularly Democratic incumbents, this year — are vulnerable when straight-ticket ballots are cast because voters aren’t thinking about the merits of individual candidates, said Craig Goodman, assistant professor of political science at Texas Tech University.

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