Tomorrow is Election Day, and across the country millions of eligible voters will stay home instead of going to the polls. While the 2008 presidential election saw a relatively high number of voters — about 64 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — the 2009 off-year election is not likely to generate long lines at polling places. And yet critical issues are being decided this year. Virginia and New Jersey will each elect their governor, along with additional statewide officials. Boston, New York, Seattle, and many other cities will elect mayors and city council members. These elected officials will determine policy that directly affects the lives of local residents. Statewide ballot measures and referendums will also be voted on in six states across the country. Who will make these important decisions? Not many of us, apparently.
Fair Vote tells us that voter turnout in off-year elections is so low that mayors of major cities are often elected with single-digit voter turnout. In a recent Dallas mayoral election, only 5 percent of registered voters went to the polls, and an off-year gubernatorial election in Kentucky had a turnout of only 6 percent of voters. Is that really democracy in action?
The PEW Center on the States says that the news gets a little better in midterm election years, like 2010. According to their statistics, midterm election voter turnout averages around 40 percent nationwide. This is definitely an improvement, but it still means that a minority of voters are making decisions for the majority of the affected population.
As the debate on key issues such as health care reform, education, and the economy heats up, each vote becomes increasingly important. Women not only make up the majority of the U.S. population and an equal part of the workforce; women are also the majority of voters. AAUW’s Woman-to-Woman Voter Turnout Campaign is designed to mobilize women to vote and ensure that our voices are heard on Election Day.
As the fictitious President Bartlett said on The West Wing, “Decisions are made by those who show up.” Who will make decisions for you on November 3?
I had no idea that off-year elections had such a low turnout. It makes think how many even knew that yesterday was election day, or even who the various candidates were in their district. I think its great that women make up the majority of voters, at least we will have our voice represented.
Until a few years ago, my father had never missed an election ever. This is despite being a traveling salesman. Voting is super-important to him so he always voted via absentee ballot if he knew he was going to be out of town. I’m lucky to have that example and I try really hard not to miss an election, regardless of how insignificant it seems.
Danine
http://www.danine.net