Addressing Low Voter Turnout in a Mid-Year Election

We have heard the pundits and read the bloggers discuss the reasons for continual low voter turnout. This has especially come to light with the recent special election held in Florida. 

Historically, mid-year election voter turnout is low. However, the so-called mid year elections races are the ones that tend to have a more direct affect on our lives. A senatorial, congressional, gubernatorial, mayoral or village dog control officer race will ultimately touch on more personal topics than a presidential race. It is normally not until after all the votes are tallied that voters; especially those that did not go to the polls, begin to voice their disdain and criticism.  

Many political scientists claim that it is based on "voter apathy". I believe it goes far beyond that. It is more of the voter not being fully informed on the importance of voting during these off years. Voter education in this regard it extremely important. 

Many past and current candidates will argue that they have engaged in voter education. They followed all the rules; sent out their mailers, handed out their palm cards, made the robo calls, even kissed a baby or two. They designated who the "prime voters" were and carried out a full blown Get Out the Vote assault. There's the rub; the "prime voters".

The buzzwords "prime voters" have morphed from being those most likely to vote to those most likely to donate. All too often, candidates and their staff are found to be cherry picking who to meet & greet. It is a problem across the board in every state and level of the election process. Financing a campaign is expensive and donors provide the necessary funding;however, the number of votes the donors bring directly to the polls is minuscule in the grand scheme of things. 

We have quickly gone from calling for support in the form of votes to dialing for dollars. All too often the young voter, the poor voter, the woman voter and the minority voter become disconnected from the process. I cannot begin to tell you how many people locally don't vote because they believe it wasn't a big race. Every election is a big race. 

Candidates need to make it a point to get out and meet those they have ignored in the past. They need educate these segments of the public on just how important their vote is. 

Candidates need to stop ignoring those that live in what may be considered undesirable neighborhoods; embrace them and listen to their concerns. They want to know that the politicians do, in fact, care and have ideas to help make their lives better. 

Candidates need to speak to the young voter in the language that they understand. That entails utilizing the tools that social media affords them. Incorporate Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram into your overall campaign strategy. Encourage young voters to become involved in the election process. Actively recruit young people as campaign volunteers. Most importantly, listen to their concerns since it is their future on the line. 

Candidates must not ignore the woman voter. Women make up 51% of the population and garnering their support during the campaign should be a top priority. Women wield tremendous political clout that is so often overlooked and underestimated. 

Finally, we need to do our part by providing education within our own social circles. We need to reach out to our family, friends, and neighbors. Encourage them to vote. Educate them on the importance of their vote and being involved in the political process.

Enough Already!

For months, I have been biting my tongue as I see more and more posts by Facebook friends - from close personal friends to merely acquaintances - share disparaging images, memes and statuses concerning those within our community who are utilizing the services available to them from Social Services.  I cannot hold back any longer and if I lose friends because of it, then I will resign myself to the fact that they weren't truly friends in the first place.

For every post you make denigrating those who need food stamps (or SNAP benefits) or financial assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - TANF), you are doing your part in creating a division of classes that has no place in our society.  Many of those who receive SNAP and/or TANF work every day in low paying part time jobs struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table for their families. They are not lazy as so many of your posts imply.  They have sacrificed more for their families and children than you ever will. They wear decades old clothes; not to be trend setters but more because they had to make the conscious decision to pay the gas and electric bill over buying a new winter coat.

Your continual posts about having cell phones and/or Internet on "your dime" only sets the tone that you consider yourself better than those that need these items for activities you have long been taking for granted. Cell phones (many of which they pay on a monthly pay as you go basis) are necessary for them to keep in touch with their employers, potential future employers, their children and, yes, their friends.  Individuals on public assistance are entitled to have friends, aren't they?  The Internet is necessary in today's world to look for better employment opportunities or to master school work (many times in the late hours of the night or wee hours of the morning) before or after their work shifts in order to give themselves a shot at a more stable and higher paying job. Admonishing them and telling them to use the Internet services at the public library is all well and good; tell me where there is a library open 24/7.

Yes, people on assistance do have cars.  Not because it is a luxury but a necessity.  Without a car, many would not be able to get to work unless they live and work within a community's downtown core.  Most public transit routes and schedules, for whatever reason, discriminate against those who are lucky to find employment outside the downtown core or outside the traditional 9 -5 schedule. That is, however, if their community even has a public transit system.

Yes, there are those that take advantage of the system and over time they will be caught and stopped.  However, publicly attacking everyone on the system is not doing anything other than shaming your neighbors and family members who are "playing by the rules" and doing the best they can in these tough economic times.  As we approach the holiday season, let's be thankful for what we do have and, instead of spewing hateful comments, donate to the local food banks or one of the various community dinners planned for the upcoming holiday season; donate clothing that can be used for job interviews by those unable to afford a new outfit.  And, let's not forget the children - donate something to organizations such as "Toys for Tots" for the many that cannot experience a child's holiday joy through no fault of their own.