The hopes of Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Sherrod Brown for a Democratic mark in Ohio seemed almost delusional as anticipated voter turnouts from the state’s most populated cities failed immensely. The portrayal of an impressive Democratic show in the voting exercise remains a mere figment of the imagination, given the lukewarm turnout figures that were released recently. Conspicuously, the total number of voters in Ohio was less in 2024 compared to the figures registered in 2020. A comparably feeble 71.71% of registered voters, equivalent to 5.85 million people, participated in the election in 2024, a decline from the 5.97 million voters or 73.99% participation rate in 2020.
Surpassing this turnout in an American presidential election remains an unachieved feat since 1992 when President Bill Clinton won the state with a record turnout of 77.14%. A casual glance at the Ross county on November 5, 2024, would reveal a lackluster gathering of voters. This general election scene could be likened to the state of voters’ morale during that period, particularly in the urban areas.
The profound disappointment resided in the reactions of residents within the metropolitan counties. Worryingly, voter turnout in Cleveland’s Cuyahoga County slumped by 5.3 percentage points compared to the 2020 turnout. Similarly, there were 4.7 and 3.5 points declines in Columbus’ Franklin County and Cincinnati’s Hamilton County respectively. Akron’s Summit County was not left out with a disappointing downfall of 2.1 points.
Interestingly, even the slight uptick in voter turnout was not a saving grace for the Democrats. Harris managed to secure a win in a single county which saw an increased turnout from the last election – the unimportant Athens County, known as the heart of Ohio University. Even in victory, it was an indication of the widespread dissatisfaction with her candidacy and the Democratic party at large.
For the experienced eye, lower turnout from large urban counties is an undeniable signal that the Democratic base is rapidly diminishing. According to Republican strategist Mark Weaver, such a trend points to a deeply ingrained problem that starts from the top of the Democratic ticket. More specifically, the flailing enthusiasm among Democrats is primarily attributed to Harris being notably underwhelming as a presidential candidate, a poor comparison to those of the likes of charismatic figures like Barack Obama or Bill Clinton.
The eventual triumph of President-elect Donald Trump over Harris came as no surprise, with Ohio giving Trump a sweeping win of 55.14% against Harris’s poor 43.93%. A total of 81 out of 88 counties in Ohio stood firmly with Trump as the final results rolled in. Without a doubt, Trump’s colossal 11-point win in Ohio bolstered the campaign of Republican entrepreneur Bernie Moreno, paving the way for his victory over Brown in the Senate race.
Trump’s success in Ohio did not only benefit Moreno but also played a significant role in securing GOP’s domination of the Ohio Supreme Court elections. Additionally, Ohio Issue 1, a proposed plan to form a citizen redistricting commission, was rejected in the wake of the Republican triumph. The hefty losses dealt the Democrats a severe blow, unlike anything seen in recent political history.
After suffering such a significant defeat, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters resorted to a desperate attempt at damage control. She laid out an ambitious plan to invigorate Democratic voters in Ohio’s more populous counties while attempting to charm voters in the suburbs. Moreover, she sought to temper the anticipated electoral massacre in rural areas.
In a slight relief for Walters, voter participation increased since 2020 in 18 counties, most of which were unsurprisingly dominated by triumphant Trump. These winning territories comprised of Wyandot, Morrow, Wayne, Wood, and Henry counties, painting a vivid picture of the crushing blow the Dems were handed.
Weaver opined that Trump’s victory was not merely driven by Republican support but also by a resonating distaste for attempts to legally incriminate or stifle the former and likely future president. Such affronts kindled anger and defiance among Republicans and independents leaning right. Consequently, it sparked an unforeseen movement across the country.
In summary, the unfulfilling performance of the Democrats in the 2024 general elections in Ohio vividly reflects the electorate’s disillusionment with the party. The decline in voter turnout, especially in the most populous areas, sends a clear message that the Democrats have failed to engage and rally their base in Ohio. This state of affairs has left many questioning the future relevance of the Democratic party in Ohio politics.
More importantly, the elections demonstrated the widespread dissatisfaction with Harris as a presidential candidate, which largely contributed to the depressed Democratic base. Having been bested in nearly all corners of Ohio by Trump, it is evident that Democratic voters found more in Trump’s leadership to align with than in Harris’s lethargic showing.
Ultimately, the Ohio elections revealed a stark political reality facing Democrats – if their declining influence persists, they may just become an inconsequential player in Ohio’s political landscape. With Biden and Harris at the helm, disillusionment amongst their base has become a stark reality, and their ability to inspire future, meaningful engagement remains highly questionable.