What emerging relationship trend between negative campaign tone and voter turnout is depicted on the graph starting in 1988? both negative campaigns and voter turnout have continually decreased but it is unclear whether they are related. as negative ads have steadily decreased, voter turnout has steadily increased, indicating they have a direct relationship. negative campaigns have steadily increased and it is possible that it increased voter turnout but the evidence is not strong. the increase in negative campaigning matches to a proportional decrease in voter turnout, showing a strong relationship