This article analyzes the surprising shift in voter behavior in San Diego and Imperial Counties during the 2024 election. Despite Democrats' efforts to emphasize the election's importance, voter turnout for the Democratic ticket was significantly lower than in previous years. The article explores the various factors contributing to this shift, including dissatisfaction with the cost of living, a perception that Democrats had become the establishment, and a diminished fear of Trump among voters.
For much of the runup to the 2024 presidential election, Democrats and supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris made the case that this was the most important election of this generation, and it was vital that people who support Democrats should vote. It didn’t resonate in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
While California and the San Diego region did support Harris’ campaign, voters did not turn out for the Democratic ticket in near the numbers they did before and in Imperial County, voters preferred Republican former President Donald Trump for the first time in more than 30 years. Now, two months later, Democratic leaders across San Diego and Imperial Counties are grappling with what it means that so many people decided the party is no longer their preferred one or that they just didn’t want to vote this time, which became a de facto endorsement of Trump. He didn’t just benefit, however, from lack of turnout for Harris. Some areas of San Diego and Imperial Counties turned out for him in greater numbers than before. Looking at percentages, Trump did better in San Diego than he did in 2020. Looking at actual votes, though, provides a little more nuanced and interesting story. San Diego County had more voters in 2024 than it did in 2020, yet Trump received about 7,000 fewer votes in San Diego County than he got in 2020. The turnout for Harris was much, much worse. In 2020, President Joe Biden, running with Harris as vice presidential candidate, got 123,278 more votes than Harris received four years later from San Diego voters. That meant voter turnout in San Diego was down 8 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2020 – the bulk of the apathy was within voters whom Democratic leaders must have expected would support the ticket again. Look at Imperial County, once an extremely reliable base of support for Democrats. Like many other border counties, the shift toward Trump was not just a product of people not coming out for Harris. They came out for Trump. For the first time since 1988, a plurality of Imperial County voters chose a Republican – 49 percent of voters there picked Trump, slightly more than the 48 percent who chose Harris. For comparison, Biden beat Trump there 61 percent to 37 percent just four years ago, a margin of 24 points. We saw the same trend all through the southern portions of San Diego County as well. In Chula Vista, the Democratic ticket received about 15,000 fewer votes than it did four years before but Trump got more than 4,600 more votes. A similar shift occurred in Nestor and National City. Two areas to the north saw greater turnout for both sides, but more for the Republican Trump. In Pacific Beach, 1,425 more people supported Harris than Biden four years earlier but more than 1,800 more voters supported Trump than four years earlier. The results had an impact on key decisions further down the ballot. Two major sales tax increases, one for regional transportation projects and another for the city of San Diego, both failed. Had even a small number of the people who decided not to vote found reason to go to the polls, those contests may have had very different outcomes. And now, we are likely to see a new race to decide the balance of power for the five-member Board of Supervisors for the County of San Diego. With the abrupt resignation of former Supervisor Nora Vargas, the chair until this year of the Board, once again, there are two Democrats and two Republicans in those seats. The race to replace her could again draw millions from builders, unions and others interested in the future of the county. All of them will study these results. Will the Democrats have the decisive advantage in the race they had just three months ago? These results will make them think. The Public Matters partnership sent reporters to all these areas to talk to voters about what changed for them in those four years. The main message we got back was that every voter is different, with distinct fears and outlooks. But common themes stood out: The cost of living created a sense of insecurity many blamed on Biden and Harris – either they had caused it or had not proven they could fix it. The Democrats, long proud to tout their representation of the people who had felt excluded from power, had morphed to become the party in power for many voters. In heavily Latino areas, some voters told us they didn’t see anything to hope for with the Democratic ticket. And perhaps most importantly in shaping their decisions, they didn’t see as much to fear in Trump. But the most prominent theme among many of our responses was the desire for change. The post-pandemic period has been difficult for many and they wanted something, anything, to change
2024 ELECTION VOTER TURNOUT SAN DIEGO
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
7 exceptional theater productions from San Diego's 2024 seasonFrom comedies to contemporary classics, these theater productions showcased the variety and talent of the city’s live performance scene.
Read more »
Best of San Diego 2024: Top Experiences and AdventuresThis article highlights the best moments and experiences of 2024 in San Diego, focusing on outdoor adventures, hiking spots, and social activities like group bike rides. It features recommendations for stunning hikes like Garnet Peak, dog-friendly beaches, and the welcoming community of Nice 'n' Easy bike rides.
Read more »
San Diego's Best Coffee & Tea Spots of 2024Discover the top coffee and tea destinations in San Diego for 2024, from eclectic cafes to cozy tea rooms. This article highlights some of the city's best spots for a delicious caffeine fix, featuring recommendations for both classic and unique drinks.
Read more »
Clairo and Fabio Frizzi: Defining Moments in 2024 San Diego Live MusicThis article highlights unforgettable live music experiences in San Diego during 2024, focusing on Clairo's intimate performance at the Rady Shell and Fabio Frizzi's electrifying tribute to Lucio Fulci's horror films.
Read more »
San Diego's Best Festivals of 2024This article highlights the vibrant festivals of San Diego in 2024, showcasing the city's diverse community and its offerings for everyone. It also features a heartwarming event called 'Be My Neighbor Day' organized by KPBS, focusing on environmental care and community engagement.
Read more »
San Diego's Must-Try Bars, Brews and Bites in 2024Explore the vibrant culinary scene of San Diego with this curated list of top dining and drinking spots, featuring innovative dishes, craft cocktails, and unique vibes.
Read more »