Elections during the Gilded Age: - suffered from low voter turnout. - brought an end to Democratic control of the South. - were closely contested affairs. - suffered from a lack of party loyalty among voters. - were generally quiet affairs with few rallies or speeches.

Were usually closely contested affairs

Explanation:

The political scenario was notable in that despite a certain level of corruption, turnout was very high and national elections saw two evenly matched parties (Republican and Democratic). The dominant issues were cultural (i. e prohibition, education, and ethnic or racial groups) and economic (tariffs and money supply).