DON'T JUST SIT THERE!
This week, you can be sure that almost any people you hear complaining loudly about the political situation are people who did not vote on Election Day just a few days ago.
They are already out there.
This week, you can be sure that almost any people you hear complaining loudly about the political situation are people who did not vote on Election Day just a few days ago.
Poll official here in my local area, report that the number of voters who actually too slightly lower than the last time around. It was forty-there percent of eligible voters who actually showed up on chad-punching day earlier this week. There were forty-six percent last time around. That's not too much, of course.
Several factors enter into any consideration of what causes this obvious lack of interest in civic duties and obligations.
One favorite is the weather. This is variable, of course, but the weather for the moist recent election day herein our area was perfect. No heavy rains, high winds, snow or heat waves to handicap voters on their way to the polls.
Some revert back to the "my Grandmother died," excuse which used to work if someone wanted to go to the ball game instead of to work. It is amazing how important, how urgent, everyday routine procedures can become on election day.
We also must realize that not everyone is alert to the fact that we, as citizens, have to have some idea of what is happening. The simple reality is that when "Civics" was lumped into "Social Studies"in our educaional system, we lost our link to the legislative phase of world affairs. Manyof young, who are becoming older people, are not even aware of who is running for what office or why. New recruits are added annually to this expanding segment . This increase of informational idiocy decreases voting percentages more and more.
Election site workers also tell me of another rather new cause of voting laxity.
The lists of person eligible to vote have been increased by the addition of voters from new and easier ways in which one might register to vote. These "quickie" newcomers, I am told, seem to be not voting at all. They can, if they wish to do so, but, thus far, their performance has been on the sad side.
I'm asking 57% of you – what was your excuse?
A.L.M. November 6, 2003 [c384wds]
