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OUR OPINION: Non-voters erode democracy

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By The News Tribune

Published: Thursday, April 9, 2009 3:12 PM CDT

What is the value of a person's vote? As a philosophical concept, the question invites debate. As a practical matter, the answer - based on Tuesday's election - is about $10. We congratulate voters who went to the polls in the municipal and school district elections. The value of each vote increased, compared to past elections. Why? Because voter turnout was a dreadful 10 percent, below the dismal 12 to 13 percent prediction of Cole County Clerk Marvin Register. The price tag for Tuesday's election is estimated at $56,000. Among Cole County's 50,938 eligible voters, 5,131 cast ballots. That calculates to about a $10 cost to the county for each vote cast. Put another way, every county resident paid taxes so one in 10 could elect government leaders who will help determine how tax dollars are spent.

Perhaps we should no longer be disconcerted or disappointed so many people are willing to cede their right to vote to so few.

But, we are. Citizens voluntarily are eroding democracy, and we find that disturbing.

The state Legislature now is contemplating an early voting bill to make it easier for people to vote. The bill would pertain only to federal elections, not local elections like those held Tuesday.

What, we wonder, created such an obstacle on Tuesday that it kept 90 percent of voters from the polls? We fear the answer is apathy and plain laziness.

Tuesday's turnout suggests making voting easier won't help. It may even make things worse.

A widely held truism is that people take things for granted until those things are taken away.

How sad.


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waitingontheend wrote on Apr 23, 2009 8:13 AM:

" Why punish retirees if they put in their 30 or 40 years of service they more than deserve to vote. I doubt many homeless voted - don't you have to have a address to vote. "

Travelin_Rose wrote on Apr 22, 2009 4:54 PM:

" I still say only taxpayers should be allowed to vote. The people that don't pay taxes simply vote for the candidate that will give them more welfare, more social security, more goodies paid for by the rest of us taxpayers. I say if you don't file an income tax return, you don't get to vote. Period. If you are adamant about voting, then get a job and join the rest of us taxpayers. Yes, this goes for retirees, too. "

FREEDOM FIRST wrote on Apr 18, 2009 9:10 PM:

" The low voter turnout is symptomatic of the problems facing this country. Many people see the small, local election as not important. In reality, it is these election in which we have the most to gain or lose. The school board members or city councilman can have a huge impact on our daily lives. Of course, the presidential election gets the publicity. I certainly don't want people that don't care to vote. It's just a shame that there are so many people who just don't care about government; whether it's local or federal. I say, shut off American Idol and get informed. "

mariab wrote on Apr 18, 2009 8:42 AM:

" With all due respect, Trav Rose, did you slip into our world from a parallel universe, where voters actually do have the power to vote on increases/decreases to welfare?

Or perhaps you dropped in accidentally from an earlier era, when only property owners were allowed to vote? If so, and assuming you are a woman, you wouldn't have to worry your pretty little head about such things because women did not have the vote at that time. "

boscoe wrote on Apr 17, 2009 5:08 PM:

" Excellent post, Maiximista.

Voting is not only a right, but it is also our duty. As a duty, it is our obligation to learn about the issues and vote appropriately. If, after learning all you can about and issue or a candidate but youy still cannot make up your mind, it is your duty to not vote.

If you do not know any of the candidates or issues, then please don't vote. However, please also be ready to be a subject and don't complain. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 17, 2009 5:08 PM:

" Maiximista wrote "If everyone who is eligible would vote, we would see different results to our elections and ballot issues. Again, for me, it's not just a privilege, but also my responsibility "

Unfortunately, too many people that do vote don't do so responsibly. That is why we have Obama. "

Maiximista wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:43 AM:

" Continued ....When voting became important to him, lo and behold, his parents (in their 60's) decided it was time for them to register to vote and now they, too, pay attention to the issues and they go to the polls and cast their votes on issues that pertain to them. The reason our country does not see our votes counting is because so many people choose to not vote. If everyone who is eligible would vote, we would see different results to our elections and ballot issues. Again, for me, it's not just a privilege, but also my responsibility. "

Maiximista wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:41 AM:

" I grew up being taught that voting is not just a privilege, but also a responsiblity for every eligible citizen. I take that responsibility very seriously. Before each election, I find the time to study the issues and I vote my conscience when I walk in the booth. For issues that I study and find I have no opinion one way or the other, I choose to not mark anything on that issue, but I have still exercised my right to vote and have fulfilled my obligation as a citizen. Because I take it seriously, my husband who had never been registered to vote, became a registered voter and now votes regularly as well. (Continued) "

kymizzou1 wrote on Apr 17, 2009 10:34 AM:

" Isn't voting when you have no clue about the issues or the people running part of the problem and just as bad as not voting. The fact is many people don't care about local elections because they don't effect them. The school board is irrelevant if you have no children, home school or send to private school. It's not like it's easy to learn about the people running for school board if you don't run in their circle. I am new to the area and I have no clue who these people are, what opportunities were available to talk to them, ask them questions, and get to know them. Local elections need additional marketing for people to care. "

Travelin_Rose wrote on Apr 16, 2009 4:51 PM:

" The Constitution should be amended that only taxpayers are allowed to vote. This is ridiculous that a bunch of freeloaders can vote themselves a raise in welfare and other government programs which the taxpayer gets stuck paying for it. The way things are going, the taxpaying hard working people will be in the minority (and may already be the minority). Yes, this goes for retirees, too. If you don't pay taxes, you shouldn't be allowed to vote for the guy that is going to give you more our of tax dollars. "

ODF wrote on Apr 16, 2009 12:21 PM:

" Hate..it's what liberals do. If you disagree with their stance on something they automatically resort to attacks, name-calling, etc.. Who do you think coined phrases like "homophobic" , "racist", etc.! They have no knowledge of their views, they cannot civilly debate issues like adults. They act like 4 year olds...if they don't get their way they name call and throw tantrums. Mac is a fine example of this. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 16, 2009 8:40 AM:

" Mac1974 wrote "The leaders of your party have resorted to acting like ignorant hillbilly donkeys! lol :)

See the hate. It is this kinda thing that is leading us down a path most people don't want to go. But it'll happen because Mac and his ilk will leave society no other choice. "

boscoe wrote on Apr 15, 2009 11:02 PM:

" Mac, now I am even more intrigued. Which party is my party? As far as I am concerned, neither the demos and the repubs are not my party. Both of them are way off-base and have lost touch with much of anything I am interested in. "

Mac1974 wrote on Apr 15, 2009 9:03 PM:

" boscoe wrote " Mac, I am interested to hear more about your thoughts about a connection between Sarah Palin and her family and what that has to do about the erosion of democracy
Thanks "

It has nothing to do with it, boscoe. I said it because it's true and it's hilarious! :)

The leaders of your party have resorted to acting like ignorant hillbilly donkeys! lol :)

They now spend their time attacking each other since they are NO match for our Great Liberal Leaders!

Stick that in your corncob pipe and SMOKE IT BOSCOE!

:) "

boscoe wrote on Apr 15, 2009 10:50 AM:

" Mac, I am interested to hear more about your thoughts about a connection between Sarah Palin and her family and what that has to do about the erosion of democracy and low voter turnout. Please expand on this discussion of Sarah Palin and how that affects local voter turnout for the school board.

Thanks "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 15, 2009 9:11 AM:

" No, Mac, again you are lyi ng to the people on these boards . The people had lawsallowing school prayer, banning abortion and prohibiting gay marriage. The US Suprme Court and various states courts in their arrogance overruled these laws enacted by their elected representatives due to their own personl moral opinions. They in fact violated their oath to uphold the constitutions. The federal court rulings can only be overturned by 3/4 of the states ratifying a consitutional amendment. What they have done is taken away the right of the people to rule themselves and put it in the hands of an immoral miniority, of which you are a member. You are dishonest and antidemocratic. "

Mac1974 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:24 PM:

" Byron said, "Let's see..the right to ban abortion, the right of the partents and community to control their schools i.e. school prayer and the tight to ban gay marriage- just to name a few. "

You have those rights, Byron. What you don't have is sufficient support to make those things happen. (thank gawd)

Don't worry you guys..... as soon as Palin and her ex-son-in-law-baby's-mama's-daddy-kid-boy are done with their bookings on Ellen and Springer...... I'm sure she'll get right on that.

:) "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 14, 2009 5:21 PM:

" justaguy wrote "If you're an idiot, stay home."

I agree, but people like Obama and organizations like ACORN do everything they can to see that they can vote. Sometimes more than once. "

justaguy wrote on Apr 14, 2009 12:54 PM:

" If you're an idiot, stay home. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 14, 2009 10:58 AM:

" @da'lake wrote "The legislators need to do what they were elected to do....REPRESENT....rather than trying to undo the will of the voters."

Can't blame 'em. We all know voters are idiots. Look who they elected to the legislature. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 14, 2009 10:57 AM:

" Mac1974 wrote "See..... I don't buy into that."

We know that you don't buy into reality just radical ideology. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 14, 2009 10:56 AM:

" live77 wrote "voting for the school board? Does it really make that much of a difference."

Not really since the feds, in one way or another, are controlling most of it anyway. "

@da'lake wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:47 AM:

" Our legislators are trying to erode the democracy by attempting to overturn issues that have been decided by the voters....the Ameren/utility financing bill and the minimum wage bill are just 2 examples. The legislators need to do what they were elected to do....REPRESENT....rather than trying to undo the will of the voters. "

Mac1974 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 8:45 AM:

" Byron said, "Let's see..the right to ban abortion, the right of the partents and community to control their schools i.e. school prayer and the tight to ban gay marriage- just to name a few. "

See..... I don't buy into that. If a great majority of people in this country want something... they will get it. They always have and they always will. For example, fortunately, those who who would like to erode women's rights are the minority right now. "

Ra'Vae Edwards wrote on Apr 13, 2009 8:21 PM:

" I think Byron said it very well. "

live77 wrote on Apr 13, 2009 6:49 PM:

" voting for the school board? Does it really make that much of a difference. In this town, there are two kinds of people, conservatives, and ultra conservatives. Any one we elect will just push the agenda of religion and hate anyway. Why bother. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 13, 2009 4:44 PM:

" Mac1974 wrote "What rights are you talking about, Ra'Vae.... specifically?"

Let's see..the right to ban abortion, the right of the partents and community to control their schools i.e. school prayer and the tight to ban gay marriage- just to name a few. "

Mac1974 wrote on Apr 13, 2009 4:41 PM:

" Ra'Vae said, "Wonder how they (Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott) would feel about women not using the right they fought so hard for them to have???"

We wouldn't know, Ra'Vae. If they were alive right now, they would be more concerned with fighting proposed legislation for voter ID requirements. "

Mac1974 wrote on Apr 13, 2009 4:22 PM:

" Ra'Vae claimed, " we are left with so little rights"

What rights are you talking about, Ra'Vae.... specifically? "

Ra'Vae Edwards wrote on Apr 13, 2009 3:15 PM:

" Isn't it because of those people that we have the rights we have today?

I know women fought for a long time to guarantee our voting rights. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott are two that come to mind. It was an important mission for them and for all women. Wonder how they would feel about women not using the right they fought so hard for them to have???

And yes, things are a lot different today, and we are left with so little rights why we don't take advantage of every right we have is beyond me.

Having the right to walk into the polls and cast my vote is a right I take very seriously. "

Mac1974 wrote on Apr 13, 2009 1:37 PM:

" Ra'Vae quoted, "If you don't vote, you give up your right to gripe and who wants to give that up?"

Right! Some groups of those people who came to America early on..... who were regularly starving..... who built this country on their backs...... who only DREAMED of having the opportunity to vote.....

those people had no right to gripe... did they, Ra'Vae?

Yeah, I know..... everything is different today..... "

Ra'Vae Edwards wrote on Apr 13, 2009 12:30 PM:

" My grandmother, a devout voter, always says: "If you don't vote, you give up your right to gripe and who wants to give that up?" (Oh the wise words of wisdom that come with age!)

We have very few rights left in this country as it is...why not educate yourself and take advantage of the rights you do have? Even if you think an issue doesn't affect you, if you look around you...in some way or another, it does affect you. That alone should make each and every issue put before you important.

I agree with McGonegal on this one 100 percent...and very well put, I might add.

Just my opinion... "

mariab wrote on Apr 13, 2009 12:25 PM:

" That is true, too. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 13, 2009 11:45 AM:

" mariab wrote When people are generally satisfied with how things are going, they feel less compelled to vote. That can actually be a good sign. "

Or maybe they don't feel that they can do anything to make a difference and have given up on the entire process. "

Byron W. wrote on Apr 13, 2009 11:44 AM:

" Did the candidates give us anything to vote for? Did you read the drivel some put out? One candidate said something like: I respect the views of others." Wow!!! That really made me want to vote for him. But really do candidates have a choice? Can they tell the public what they really think? No. If they do then it is bound to put them in a nagative light with some people and they'll lose votes. It is jsut better for them to say nothing. The voting public is to blame because they won't put the time and thought into it. "

lovemyboys wrote on Apr 13, 2009 9:48 AM:

" Another thing to think about: if you don't vote, then don't complain about how things are going...

I agree that it is hard to go vote when the issues don't apply to you personally, but that's the problem...you have to get beyond that and realize that it's not about you, it's about the future of the kids in this school district and the City, and ultimately our country.

Sandhouse--those positions come around every couple years for School Board and City Council....you can't wait for another presidential election for local elections. If you don't care enough to vote, then don't....but don't blame the County Clerk for doing their job. "

lovemyboys wrote on Apr 13, 2009 9:41 AM:

" While I understand and appreciate the views on here, here's why my husband and I always vote. And, we are educated on each one and talk about whatever issues are up for vote. Because it is our RIGHT and PRIVILEGE and by voting, we are teaching our children, that's it IS important if there is ONE thing or 20 to vote on. Our children also attend Private schools, but the direction of the Public Schools should be everyone's concern as these children, as are ours, will be the future generations.

I pay taxes for the public schools and therefore, want input on who is running for school board. There were also City Council members to vote on as well... "

mariab wrote on Apr 12, 2009 8:10 AM:

" But as far as non-voting eroding democracy ... please. If democracy's being eroded, it's not through lack of voting, it's because our so-called representatives care about things in this order:

Re-election first.
Party second.
Community, state, or country third. A distant third.

And for some, the first or second priority is a one-issue agenda that colors everything that representative does or does not do.

THAT is what would be eroding democracy. "

mariab wrote on Apr 12, 2009 8:04 AM:

" The previous posters make good points. Here's another:

When people are generally satisfied with how things are going, they feel less compelled to vote. That can actually be a good sign. What brings people out to vote in droves are issues or people who push emotional hot buttons. "

sandhouse wrote on Apr 11, 2009 11:21 AM:

" Did you ever think that perhaps the low turnout is exactly what is wanted??

All these elections should be consolidated into other major voting days.

Or maybe one ballot yearly.....turned in with your holiday property tax greeting card.

$56K?? on school board election?? Beyond stupid. "

rambletamble wrote on Apr 11, 2009 11:05 AM:

" How many of you on the NT editorial staff voted? "

hmarie775 wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:35 PM:

" Want to know why I didn't vote? Because I honestly could care less who is on the school board. Apathy is a good for it I suppose. My kids go to private school so the JC School Board means nothing to me, I felt as I didn't have a personal stake in it, it was best for me to stay out of it and let those who it matters to make the decision. Sometimes voting for voting's sake, uneducated about what you are voting on, is not desirable either. "

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