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VOA标准英语2014--Control of Senate in US Midterm Elections Could Hinge on Iowa Turnout

时间:2014-11-02 22:52:43

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Control of Senate in US Midterm Elections Could Hinge on Iowa Turnout

IOWA CITY, IOWA— 

The balance of power between Republicans and Democrats1 in the U.S. Senate hinges on the outcome of the November 4 midterm elections. Each party is campaigning for votes in close races, including the midwestern state of Iowa. The winner in Iowa could be decided2 by the party most successful in convincing their supporters to get out to vote.

Even though the November 4 midterm elections are still days away, the polls are open in Iowa.

Early voting here began in late September, and so far, more than 300,000 people have cast ballots4, including 18-year-old Jameisha Morgan. She says, "It felt good after I voted and to turn in my vote.”

It was the first time Morgan cast a ballot3 in an election. She is supporting Democratic candidate Bruce Braley in the U.S. Senate race in Iowa. She says the biggest reason other voters her age don't cast their ballots is a lack of interest.

“They’re not even worried about the election. Most people don’t even know who Bruce Braley is," she said. "So getting them to talk about it and be educated is the hardest part.”

Morgan has some help in that effort, thanks in part to high profile visits to the state and campaign rallies that featured former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Speaking specifically to young voters on Iowa university campuses to support Bruce Braley, the first lady’s message was simple - each vote counts.

“Make no mistake about it, this race is going to be tight," said Mrs. Obama. "And we know that races like this can be won or lost by just a few thousand, even a few hundred votes.”

Bruce Braley’s challenger, Republican Joni Ernst, echoed a similar message to GOP supporters at the annual Ronald Reagan Dinner in the state capital, Des Moines.

“Every vote makes a difference, folks," said Ernst. "I’m asking all of you if you haven’t voted yet, please make sure that you absentee vote.  Make sure you do that. If you would rather go to the polls, that’s great. But make sure you go to the polls.”

University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle says the key to winning the close Senate race in Iowa is courting the vote of those not affiliated5 with either political party.

“It wasn’t expected that this Senate race for us would be this close; it is giving us more attention,” he said.

“The independents here, what we call no party voters, is an even larger group than Democrats or Republicans," he said. "Now they don’t turn out quite as well for midterm elections than those who have registered for one of the parties, but you have to energize6 your base, and reach out to those no party voters because they are the ones who are going to decide the election.”

Voting Registration7 numbers back up Hagle’s assessment8. He adds the party affiliation9 of those who have signed up to vote in Iowa is split almost evenly between Democrats and Republicans.  

Most polls show Joni Ernst and Bruce Braley virtually tied in the lead up to Election Day November 4.

 

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1 democrats 655beefefdcaf76097d489a3ff245f76     
n.民主主义者,民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
  • The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
2 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
3 ballot jujzB     
n.(不记名)投票,投票总数,投票权;vi.投票
参考例句:
  • The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
  • The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。
4 ballots 06ecb554beff6a03babca6234edefde4     
n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 );选举;选票;投票总数v.(使)投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 affiliated 78057fb733c9c93ffbdc5f0ed15ef458     
adj. 附属的, 有关连的
参考例句:
  • The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。
  • All affiliated members can vote. 所有隶属成员都有投票权。
6 energize GpyxN     
vt.给予(某人或某物)精力、能量
参考例句:
  • It is used to energize the city.它的作用是为城市供给能量。
  • This is a great way to energize yourself and give yourself more power!这种方法非常棒,可以激活你的能量,让你有更多的活力!
7 registration ASKzO     
n.登记,注册,挂号
参考例句:
  • Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
  • What's your registration number?你挂的是几号?
8 assessment vO7yu     
n.评价;评估;对财产的估价,被估定的金额
参考例句:
  • This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
  • What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何?
9 affiliation MKnya     
n.联系,联合
参考例句:
  • There is no affiliation between our organization and theirs,even though our names are similar.尽管两个组织的名称相似,但我们之间并没有关系。
  • The kidnappers had no affiliation with any militant group.这些绑架者与任何军事组织都没有紧密联系。

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