3-7 Inches of Snow Tomorrow Will Test Turnout in VA 33rd State Senate District Special Election

As my fellow blogger Ben Tribbett points out, control of the Virginia State Senate will be decided tomorrow in a snowstorm. According to the National Weather Service, it’s going to get nasty starting early tomorrow morning, with falling temperatures and 3-7 inches of snow (heavy at times). The question is – other than whether schools, government, etc. will be canceled tomorrow – how this will impact the election in the 33rd State Senate district between Independent Joe May, Republican (and anti-Semitic “joke” guy) John Whitbeck, and Democrat Jennifer Wexton? The bottom line is that special elections are almost always going to have tiny turnout, with only the most dedicated showing up to vote. Tomorrow is likely to lower that tiny turnout to “miniscule” levels. Will it be “symmetric,” with turnout falling relatively evenly among Democrats and Republicans, or will one side prove itself more determined to brave the elements and exercise their precious right to vote? We’ll find out soon enough, with control of the Virginia State Senate riding on the answer. For all our sakes, let’s just hope that Democrats don’t decide to stay home.