How's this compare to years past? From the Daily News article reporting on the 2007 general election.
Voter turnout was lower than the previous two general elections with 43 percent - or 5,327 - of the city's 12,141 voters casting ballots in the mayoral race. In 2005, 52 percent voted; in 2003, 51 percent went to the polls.
Six years ago, just over half the eligible voters bothered to go to the polls. This week, just over one-third made it.
People, this is not good.
What this says to me is its clear the politically active "old guard" continues to vote and vote well. (Good for them by the way.) But their numbers are shrinking as newcomers like myself move into the city.
But we new folks aren't holding up our end of the bargain. We're not caring enough to vote. We're not letting our voices be heard.
Why the hell not?
I'm not going to suggest that the outcome of the mayoral election would have been different if the turnout were considerably higher, although common sense suggests that Donna Holaday had the support of the long-time residents and natives, much more so than James Shanley.
But we can't continue this way. We can't let one-third of the voters in this city decide its course. If you fellow newcomers to this city love it as much as you profess you gotta stand up, get involved and for goodness sake's vote.
9 comments:
It's true, 39 percent is pretty sad. When people complain about our elected officials, they should ask themselves one question: did I vote? If not, what right do they have to snipe?
Also sad are lawn sign on homes of unregistered voters.
they're not kids, they are adults.
Why do you say the following?
What this says to me is its clear the politically active "old guard" continues to vote and vote well.
I don't get the connection?
Ari: Get your facts straight! It was Donna who asked that question, not me.
What this says to me is its clear the politically active "old guard" continues to vote and vote well.
Sorry for the late reply. I think it's generally accepted that the folks who live here longer (or forever) tend to vote at a higher rate than newbies and transplants.
So if fewer people are voting I'm willing to bet that the slippage is larger on the part of the newbies rather than the natives.
Also, Holaday supposedly grabbed the old-timer vote so her strong performance suggests they turned out for her.
Tom,
I think much of the "old guard" stayed home (especially in 4,5,6) where there were uncontested ward races and they would have preferred "none of the above" for mayor.
I don't accept that Holoday got the old timers vote. I know many long time residents (especially downtown business people) who voted for Shanley.
You may be right, West End. I enjoy reading the post-game analysis of this year's election, but I'm not sure we really know what the heck happens until it happens and we're never really sure why.
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