---
title: "Enthusiastic Republicans"
description: "Fully 58% of voters who plan to vote Republican next fall are very enthusiastic about voting."
date: "2009-11-18"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2009/11/18/enthusiastic-republicans/"
---

# Enthusiastic Republicans

Roughly a year out from the midterm elections of 2010, more registered voters say they would cast a ballot for a Democratic candidate (47%) than a Republican (42%). However, the GOP has a large advantage over the Democrats in another important pre-election indicator: enthusiasm. Among voters who plan to vote for a Republican, 58% are very enthusiastic about voting, including 56% of independents who plan to vote GOP. Among voters who plan to vote Democratic just 42% are very enthusiastic about casting their vote, and only a third of independents who plan to vote for a Democrat are very enthusiastic. Also, while less than half of Democrats (49%) are very enthusiastic about supporting the party line, six-in-ten Republicans (59%) are very enthusiastic about supporting the GOP next fall. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1405/widespread-anti-incumbent-sentiment-obama-approval-afghanistan-troop-levels)