Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Turnout


It appears that apathy was the big winner yesterday in the election. There was slightly more than a 30% turnout of elegible voters. That hardly is worthy of calling yesterday's results a mandate for any of the measures or candidates. Less than 15% of the city's elegible voters decided the Mayor's race and the minimum wage question. It appears a lack of inspiration and vision won the day.

All we can do now is work towards the elections next fall and concentrate on making sure there will be some changes made in Congress.

6 comments:

OpenThreads said...

Maybe we can start by contributing to Air America Radio: https://secure.airamericaradio.com/

Jim Baca said...

I think this is basically a good point. But we lose our heart when we feel we shouldn't be responsible for each other. Also, it is hard for the children of these nonvoting minimum wage earners to have a voice. So lets just think of them too.

Paul Nixon said...

I agree with you, Jim. The "deception" group expected that apathy. It worked for them. That apathy is the same reason our current national administration got a second term.
And that apathy will keep new initiatives like the Living Wage from ever coming to pass.
Dammit, people, get off your butts, put down the potato chips and VOTE!

Frederick Smith said...

Elections and turnout are always a disappointing topic. I work with students, and many of them don't see any value in voting or participating. In their words: they (elected officials) are going to do what they want anyway.

Sometimes, I feel the same way. But I still do vote and participate. At least I can say I did my part in a small, if insignificant, way.

Anonymous said...

It didn't help that the county and state Dem Parties didn't do much to register voters or get out the vote. I note the Journal reports today that the Repub Party GOTV effort was a major factor in the defeat of the living wage proposal.

Derek Bill said...

Maybe it really does all come down to this: If pure democracy is (as has been suggested by some wise guy) two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner, then do the non-voting lambs have any room to complain about the menu?