Entering Early Voting Amid 'Mud Fight'...Will It Record the Highest Turnout Ever?

The voter turnout for the 21st presidential election early voting, which started on the 29th, is drawing attention as to whether it will record the highest ever. In the 2022 20th presidential election, the early voting rate was 36.93%, the highest among all presidential elections. The remaining approximately 63% voted on the main voting day. Including the election day turnout, the final turnout was 77.1%. The proportion of early voting is steadily increasing. The early voting rate for this year's presidential election is expected to be similar to or slightly higher than the 2022 presidential election.
This year, too, many analyses predict an early voting rate of 35-40% due to high interest and willingness to participate among voters. Early voting is possible anywhere nationwide, and participation is increasing among young people, dual-income earners, and voters who frequently move, so the proportion of early voting is steadily increasing compared to main voting (election day voting).
In this election, the proportion of voters who said they "will definitely vote" was 86.8%. This is the result of a survey conducted by the National Election Commission, commissioned by Gallup Korea, targeting 1,512 voters aged 18 and over nationwide on May 24-25. Including responses of "I will vote if possible" (9.5%), the proportion of those who expressed their intention to vote reached 96.3%.
The willingness to vote was high among the elderly and low among the young. By age group, it was 91.2% for those in their 70s and older, 90.1% for those in their 60s, 90% for those in their 40s, 89.3% for those in their 50s, 81.5% for those in their 30s, and 77% for those aged 18-29. These figures are similar to those during the 20th presidential election three years ago.
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, and Lee Jun-seok, the Reform New Party candidate, all participate in early voting on this day. Candidate Lee votes with four young people in their 20s in Sinchon, a university area in Seoul, aiming to draw young supporters to the polls.
Candidate Kim votes in Incheon Gyeyang, the constituency of candidate Lee Jae-myung. He expressed his intention to rally conservative support and expand his base by directly entering the "stronghold" of the opposing camp. The People Power Party's election committee explained that it was an intention to achieve a reversal like the Incheon Landing Operation. Candidate Lee Jun-seok votes in Dongtan, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, his constituency. He is expected to emphasize his support base in the metropolitan area and among young people, and highlight the "Dongtan model" as a winning formula.
Meanwhile, this presidential election is being held amid unprecedented slander and lawsuits against opposing candidates. The first, second, and third TV debates were reminiscent of slander battles rather than debates. In addition, the Democratic Party filed 93 complaints against the People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo's camp for spreading fake news. The People Power Party also countersued candidate Lee Jae-myung for allegations of false information disclosure, and legal battles between the two sides continue. Candidate Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party was also accused by civic groups and individuals of various charges, including slandering candidates and insulting women. Conversely, candidate Lee is also determined to actively countercharge those who abuse political lawsuits with false accusations.






rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter