Why do Republicans vote in higher numbers than Democrats in mid-term elections?

[kentuck]

And why do Democrats vote in higher numbers in national elections?

I think a certain number of Republicans are loyal to their party, a much larger number than Democrats, and they turn out for every election. It has become really obvious in these mid-term elections.

What should the Democrats do to level that playing field?

[Warpy]

1. Preachers get the church goers out to vote

Never mind that Democrats are 80% Christian, the preachers are beholden to the GOP for all those faith based dollars coming their way.

The NRA has also been successful disinforming rural and suburban gun loons. Please notice I didn't say gun owners. I said gun loons.

Democrats haven't had anything going for them except "Republicans are crazy" for too many years. People need a little more motivation to get off the couch.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Demographics?

The older you are, the more used to voting you are and the more likely you are as a voter to make sure you vote every time, and half the GOP base has one foot in the grave?

What should the Democrats do to level that playing field?

Give people a reason to be enthusiastic about voting. Actually tell them how you're going to try and help them if you get elected, and then DO IT when you get elected? (You don't actually have to succeed the first time you try, you just have to be seen trying hard. Then you turn around and tell people you'll keep trying hard, and you need them to elect these other folks in purply districts if they want you to be able to succeed the next time.)