Apathy doesn't help

Posted 8/20/08

Park County voter turnout for the primary election was light at best. Only 48 percent of the county's registered voters showed up.Word is that turnout was low across the state.Voter turnout has been on a downward slide since the early 90s. From 1978 …

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Apathy doesn't help

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Park County voter turnout for the primary election was light at best. Only 48 percent of the county's registered voters showed up.Word is that turnout was low across the state.Voter turnout has been on a downward slide since the early 90s. From 1978 through 1994, statewide voter turnout for the primary election was greater than 60 percent — every year.By 2000, that number slipped to 53 percent, and, in 2006, turnout at the polls dropped to 46 percent. That year marked the first time ever the number fell below 50 percent.Some blame low voter turnout on apathy. Others blame it on the Wyoming presidential caucus earlier this season.Whatever the reason, failure to vote is not a good choice.The meager showing says people are content to let others make choices for them.As members of a democratic society, we are lucky – indeed privileged – to have the right to vote.We should exercise that right.When we fail to, even in the primary election, we have little room to complain about the results.

Park County voter turnout for the primary election was light at best. Only 48 percent of the county's registered voters showed up.Word is that turnout was low across the state.Voter turnout has been on a downward slide since the early 90s. From 1978 through 1994, statewide voter turnout for the primary election was greater than 60 percent — every year.By 2000, that number slipped to 53 percent, and, in 2006, turnout at the polls dropped to 46 percent. That year marked the first time ever the number fell below 50 percent.Some blame low voter turnout on apathy. Others blame it on the Wyoming presidential caucus earlier this season.Whatever the reason, failure to vote is not a good choice.The meager showing says people are content to let others make choices for them.As members of a democratic society, we are lucky – indeed privileged – to have the right to vote.We should exercise that right.When we fail to, even in the primary election, we have little room to complain about the results.

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