Notebook Archives
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Constable's Notebook - May 2008
by Constable Bruce Elfant
The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association has challenged the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood
Association to a “vote off” to determine which neighborhood can turn out more voters for the
upcoming May elections. The idea behind the challenge is to increase the clout of
neighborhood associations like Hyde Park at City Hall by turning out more of their voters.
While our city leaders are elected to represent all of Austin, the areas with the strongest
neighborhood associations and voter turnouts tend to be more successful when it comes to
receiving various city services, obtaining favorable zoning decisions, etc. In the last
city election only 11% of registered voters bothered to exercise their right and
responsibility to participate in our democratic process. Several years ago just 1%
of voters turned out to elect an Austin Community College trustee. When so few citizens
vote, other special interest voices have an easier time gaining considerable influence
over the outcome of decisions that often are at odds with the best interest of neighborhoods.
The sad fact is low voter turnouts are not just limited to city elections. According to the
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, turnout in U.S. presidential
elections (about 50% over the last decade) ranks among the lowest in the world, just ahead
of Guatemala and Columbia. The Italians posted the highest average turnout at 90%. Every
other European country turned out more than 70% of its citizens. Our Canadian and Mexican
neighbors averaged 60% and 58% respectively. Even voters in Afghanistan and Iraq (where
voting is dangerous and inconvenient) turned out in numbers above 70%.
As Americans we are proud of our democratic heritage. Hundreds of thousands of Americans
fought and died in wars to establish and preserve the right of citizens to vote in free
elections. American taxpayers (and future generations) are currently funding two wars
where the stated mission is to bring about free and fair elections. But most Americans
don’t vote. According to a California Voter Foundation survey, 28% of respondents said
that they were too busy. A Pew Research Center survey found that non-voters were not
interested in politics and tended not to trust the politicians.
Politics is about public safety. It is about the type of education our kids receive. It
is about roads, public transit and the fairness of our courts. Politics is about the
quality of our environment, our ability to care for our health, where garbage dumped
and homeless shelters will be placed. Politics is about every decision that is made
in a free society – and those decisions are made by politicians for whom we have the
right and responsibility to vote in or out. Democracy should not be about trusting
politicians but about voting for the candidates who hold similar views, holding them
accountable during their terms and re-electing or voting them out of office.
The May 10th ballot includes City Council positions, Austin Community College trustees,
School Board trustees and AISD bond propositions. Early Voting runs from April 28 through
May 6th. One of the best sources of information for the upcoming election is the Austin
League of Women Voters’ Voters Guide which is available at all public libraries and
online at www.lwvaustin.org.
I hope all citizens will accept Hyde Park’s challenge to participate in these important
upcoming elections. See you at the polls!
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