Maybe it's because there was nothing at the top of the ticket for the occasional-voters in the conservative counties.
Given the choice between Arnold and his twin Angelides, many, many good voters stayed home.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Arnolides?
LOL. We sure have some silly voters. They complain about the GOP all year long, sit out the election, and then will be complaining for the next two years about losing. Looks to me like they would've at least voted for some of the good guys.