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Editorial
May 16, 1940
Askov American
Askov, Pine County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
Editorial analyzes Minnesota's political landscape where independent voters (364,000 out of 1,165,000) hold the balance of power, based on Dr. C. R. Wasson's polls showing near-equal Republican (329,000) and Farmer-Labor (316,000) straight-ticket voters, with Democrats at 156,000. Emphasizes mixed election outcomes across branches and parties.
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The Balance Of Power
During the last two decades, Minnesota has become known as a state of independent voters. In the same election where a Farmer-Laborite wins for office, a Republican may win for another office, and a Democrat may also be a winner. Sometimes the Executive branch of our state government has been liberal and the Legislative branch had a majority of conservative members. Sometimes one of the two Legislative Houses has been liberal and the other conservative. Sometimes the highest offices have been filled with liberals and minor offices with conservatives, and vice versa.
A former Minnesota University instructor, Dr. C. R. Wasson, now secretary of the Midwest Research Council, has taken several polls among the electorate of Minnesota. In doing so, he has divided the state up in economic and political groups, and he has made a thorough study of past elections.
Out of 1,165,000 voters in the state, Dr. Wasson's figures show that the largest group are independent. They number 364,000. The number of Republican and Farmer-Labor voters is nearly the same, the Republicans having a little edge. Of those who vote the Republican ticket straight, election after election, there are 329,000 in Minnesota, and the Farmer-Labor voters number 316,000. The Democrats have 156,000. Altogether it totals up to approximately 1,165,000 voters.
Therefore it behooves strong party men to do a good job or the independents will do the rest. To be sure the independent voters in Minnesota have the balance of power.
During the last two decades, Minnesota has become known as a state of independent voters. In the same election where a Farmer-Laborite wins for office, a Republican may win for another office, and a Democrat may also be a winner. Sometimes the Executive branch of our state government has been liberal and the Legislative branch had a majority of conservative members. Sometimes one of the two Legislative Houses has been liberal and the other conservative. Sometimes the highest offices have been filled with liberals and minor offices with conservatives, and vice versa.
A former Minnesota University instructor, Dr. C. R. Wasson, now secretary of the Midwest Research Council, has taken several polls among the electorate of Minnesota. In doing so, he has divided the state up in economic and political groups, and he has made a thorough study of past elections.
Out of 1,165,000 voters in the state, Dr. Wasson's figures show that the largest group are independent. They number 364,000. The number of Republican and Farmer-Labor voters is nearly the same, the Republicans having a little edge. Of those who vote the Republican ticket straight, election after election, there are 329,000 in Minnesota, and the Farmer-Labor voters number 316,000. The Democrats have 156,000. Altogether it totals up to approximately 1,165,000 voters.
Therefore it behooves strong party men to do a good job or the independents will do the rest. To be sure the independent voters in Minnesota have the balance of power.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Minnesota Politics
Independent Voters
Balance Of Power
Voter Polls
Party Elections
Farmer Labor
Republicans
Democrats
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. C. R. Wasson
Midwest Research Council
Minnesota University
Republicans
Farmer Laborites
Democrats
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Balance Of Power Held By Independent Voters In Minnesota
Stance / Tone
Analytical Emphasis On Independents' Influence
Key Figures
Dr. C. R. Wasson
Midwest Research Council
Minnesota University
Republicans
Farmer Laborites
Democrats
Key Arguments
Minnesota Known For Independent Voters Allowing Mixed Party Wins In Elections
Executive And Legislative Branches Often Divided Between Liberal And Conservative
Dr. Wasson's Polls Divide State Into Economic And Political Groups Based On Past Elections
Out Of 1,165,000 Voters, 364,000 Are Independents
329,000 Straight Republican Voters, 316,000 Farmer Labor, 156,000 Democrats
Strong Party Members Must Perform Well Or Independents Will Decide Outcomes
Independent Voters Hold The Balance Of Power In Minnesota