Final answer:
Strong partisan feelings in the electorate can both increase and decrease voter turnout in primary and general elections. Partisan voters are more likely to turn out and vote, but extreme partisanship can also discourage voter participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Strong partisan feelings in the electorate can have an impact on voter turnout in both primary and general elections. When voters have strong partisan affiliations, they are more likely to be motivated to participate in the election process. In primary elections, where candidates from the same party compete against each other, highly partisan voters are more likely to turn out and vote for the candidate who aligns with their political views. This can lead to the selection of candidates with more extreme political viewpoints.
In general elections, partisan voters are again motivated to turnout and support candidates from their preferred party. This can result in higher voter turnout as party loyalty and strong partisan feelings drive voters to participate. However, it's important to note that strong partisan feelings can also have a negative impact on voter turnout. When voters feel disillusioned or disconnected from the political system due to extreme partisanship, they may choose not to participate in the electoral process.