Democrats in 2022 are facing many problems to their best outcomes, in that Anti-American legislation and regulation in Republican lead states are stacking the odds against Democrats. But, the reality of France's low turnout is also a lesson. The Democrats need to turn out the vote more than ever in 2022.
When state legislatures and their Secretary of State make a concerted effort to prevent voting by regulatory measures it is definitely Anti-American. Why is it that Republicans will act to allow poison in water without regulation, but, when it comes to a robust voter turnout the regulations are heavy and oppressive?
A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Angers, western France, June 20, 2021.
President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling LREM party suffered setbacks in most regions, failing to reach the 10 percent threshold required to qualify for the runoff vote in the flashpoint Hauts-de-France region.
Le Pen’s National Rally fell short of expectations, though it still harbours hopes of winning the southern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, which includes Marseille, in next week's runoff.
In the Paris region, conservative incumbent Valérie Pécresse is well ahead, one of six candidates poised to qualify for the second round.
The elections, which followed a gruelling year and a half of lockdowns and curfews, were marred by record-low turnout of under 34%.
The second round of voting will take place on June 27.
