Why did turnout drop 75% from the 2024 general election?

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Special elections consistently see lower turnout than general elections because they lack the presidential race's mobilization infrastructure and media attention. Tennessee's 7th saw 67,000 votes cast versus 330,000 in November 2024—a 75% drop. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged that "a special election is an odd thing...turnout is often stifled when elections don't fall on the usual second Tuesday of November." Rural Republican strongholds saw steeper declines than Nashville, where Democratic organizing maintained better participation. Behn led early voting in Montgomery County by 3 points, but Van Epps dominated Election Day turnout. differential mobilization: Democrats relied on progressive activists and early voting infrastructure, while Republicans used Trump's tele-rallies and Johnson's appearances to drive same-day turnout. Montgomery County cast 19,000 early votes (nearly matching Nashville's 19,000), showing that military-heavy areas stayed engaged. The December 2 timing fell on a Monday, not the traditional Tuesday, further reducing habitual voters.

Why did turnout drop 75% from the 2024 general election?

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