Each week, we explore both sides of a current issue through opposing Viewpoints. The alternate editorial for this week’s Face Off can be found here: “GOP will swoop over Senate, Obama to become lame duck“

This year is not likely to be a time of a Republican revolution — unless voter turnout remains poor.  Democrats have controlled the Senate since 2007, and this is unlikely to change if more people get out and vote. 

In the 2012 presidential election, about 77 percent of Texans registered to vote, but less than 50 percent actually voted, according to the Pew Research Center.

The next time the remaining 27 percent will have a chance to change things is Nov. 4. Republicans only need to gain six seats in order to control the Senate. 

Seventeen Democratic and 12 Republican incumbents will be up for reelection, and they have a high chance of retaining their seats.

In addition, everyone loves getting fiscal. When the economy gets bad, it’s natural to blame whoever’s in power.  A faltering economy is guaranteed to bring out voters who want a new outlook on economic policy. However, the economy seems to be hovering more than anything. 

Now, though people may dislike those in power who do harm, they do not always reward those who do right. Americans’ ideas about the economy will most likely change because President Barack Obama supports raising the minimum wage to $10.10, but this may not translate to votes.

Due to media coverage and annoying phone calls, more people vote in presidential elections than in midterm elections. This means that each vote will count more.

Who votes, though, is highly dependent on the president’s approval rating. This month, it was reported that only 43 percent of Americans think Obama is doing a good job.

However, there’s a difference between those who took the poll and everyone who voted. America is continually moving left, and recent rulings on same-sex marriage and reformed marijuana laws prove this. People who take time to do polls are primarily lonely old conservative men who don’t get visited by their grandchildren.

A large portion of democrats are women, minorities, gays and young people. Increased work on policy for some of these groups has propelled Obama’s preference within some communities. In Texas, 38 percent of the population is Hispanic and 3.3 percent identify as gay. These two groups combined makes up almost Texas’ voting population, but they actually vote to make an impact.

However, here are still eight months until elections. The economy could falter or prosper; Latinos could migrate to Canada; Obama could attempt a military coup and become a dictator — who knows? But currently, there is a good possibility that the Democrats will keep hold of the Senate this November.