Widespread Participation in Local Elections is Essential
Despite a high turnout of voters for the 2020 presidential election, participation in local elections remains very low.
Voting: A Key Freedom of American Life
Since I turned eighteen, I’ve always voted. I am grateful to both of my parents for teaching me this responsibility even though they always joked that their votes most often cancelled each other out, with mom generally voting for one candidate, and dad the other. I was a bit more of a passive voter through my 20s and 30s. I did my research, and I showed up to vote in almost every election, but I wasn’t active in the political process.
More recently I have tried to be an active participant. I’ve made the effort to personally meet candidates when they speak at local venues, I’ve volunteered at voter registration events with Greater Georgia, I’ve hosted meet and greets for local candidates at my home, and I’ve even knocked on doors for several city council candidates to help “get out the vote”. Through it all what I’ve sadly learned is that too many people just don’t vote, especially in local elections.
Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom to participate in elections, nor did many Americans in centuries past, so why have so many people chosen to take a back seat and allow their neighbors to decide for them who should serve as their elected officials?
The Sad Statistics
According to the Gwinnett County Department of Elections, only 15.13% of registered voters cast a ballot in the May 21, 2024 primary election, and only 3.36% of registered voters cast a ballot in the June 18th runoff election.
In the May election, residents of Sugar Hill had the opportunity vote for our US House Representative (district 9), our State Senator (district 48), our State House Representative (district 100), the Gwinnett County Sheriff, the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner, the Gwinnett County Commission Chairman, numerous county Judges, and our Gwinnett County School Board Representative (district 3).
For the June 18th runoff, Sugar Hill residents had only two elections left to decide: A Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge and our School Board Representative. Both offices equally as important, and yet, only 3.36% of registered voters cast a ballot.
Why are so many people staying home and not making the effort to vote for the people who represent them?
A survey conducted by NPR after the 2020 presidential election cited five primary reasons that Americans chose not to vote in that election: not being registered to vote (29%), not being interested in politics (23%), not liking the candidates (20%), a feeling their vote wouldn’t have made a difference (16%) and being undecided on who to vote for (10%). While we may not be able to make a direct correlation between this analysis and the low voter turnout in Gwinnett County this past Spring, we can explore these five areas to see how they might relate to local elections.
Registering to Vote
In the state of Georgia, you can register to vote online with a valid GA Driver’s License or a Department of Driver Services Identification Card.
Voter Registration | GA SOS VR
If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, or if you have recently moved and need to update your voter registration status, you may do this by visiting the GA My Voter Page
The last day to register to vote in the November Georgia General Election is October 7, 2024.
The Georgia General Election, which will include state and county elections as well as the next Presidential Election, will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
If you are in need an absentee ballot, you must request one before October 25, 2024.
Absentee Ballot Request | GA SOS VR
Not Being Interested in Politics
According to a 2023 Pew Research Poll, the majority of adults polled described the current state of politics as divisive and described thinking about politics as making them feel exhausted. Understandable? Perhaps, especially if you embrace the Oxford Dictionary definition of politics which includes “the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power”. Conflict and power can be divisive and exhausting words.
However, consider the Webster Dictionary definition of politics which includes “the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy”. As citizens of the United States, we have the freedom to participate in the election of individuals who will guide and/or influence governmental policy. That is why it is important to be interested in politics, because governmental policy affects us personally, especially local governmental policy.
Let’s look at one local election which will take place during the 2024 November General Election. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman.
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners sets direction and formulates policies for the county and its governing bodies, adopts the budget, authorizes expenditures, and approves or disapproves of specific actions, such as rezoning of private property. These are policy areas that directly affect every person living in Gwinnett County. Your neighbor may not have the same interests as you, so don’t rely upon someone else to represent you. Be sure to cast your vote for The Gwinnett County Commission Chairman in November.
Not Liking the Candidates
This is a particularly irksome reason to me for not voting. Why? Because in many instances, the candidates in general elections were selected by first running in a primary.
In 2022, Georgia had a 47% voter turnout in the general election, but only a 23% turnout in the primary election. How can we expect to have elected officials who represent us if so few people take the time to select them from the wider field of candidates offered in primary elections? If our elected officials are truly meant to reflect the people they serve, then it is essential that we have widespread participation in all elections.
When we choose good candidates, good policies are made, and our communities become stronger. Strong communities are the building blocks for a strong country.
Feeling Your Vote Won’t Make a Difference
Let’s look at our most recent election in the City of Sugar Hill where the overall vote tallies will make it clear why every vote makes a difference:
The City of Sugar Hill has 11,838 registered voters.
Last November (2023), City Council Posts 1, 2, and 3 were up for re-election.
Only 1,464 Sugar Hill Residents voted in this election: a mere 12.36% of registered voters.
Post 1 was determined by 19 votes, Post 2 was determined by 177 votes, and Post 3 tied with an equal number of votes for each of the candidates.
The runoff election was attended by only 10.82% of registered voters and was determined by only 19 votes.
Did you vote in the November 2023 City Council Election? If not, I once again pose the question: are you comfortable allowing people who may or may not share your vision for our city to choose your elected officials?
The Sugar Hill City Council, very much like the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, adopts the budget, authorizes expenditures, and approves or disapproves of specific actions, such as rezoning of private property. Three of our five council members were elected by only 12.36% of the city’s residents because 87.64% of Sugar Hill’s residents took a back seat and let their neighbors decide who would represent them in these important matters. As a volunteer who knocked on doors to remind my neighbors to vote, this is very disheartening.
Being Undecided on Who to Vote For
There’s really no way around it, this one takes some work on behalf of the voter. It’s not a great strategy to simply show up on election day and vote based on name recognition or party lines, especially since many local elections are non-partisan such as judges, school board members, and city council members.
The internet offers accessibility to the candidates and their platforms, but you can also email or call candidates if you have questions or schedule a meeting with a candidate if you really want to get to know them.
I know, this sounds like a lot of work and who has the time? It’s all about responsibilities. Is voting an important responsibility to you and your family?
Did you know that when a person becomes a naturalized citizen, the applicant swears an oath to support the U.S. Constitution, which entails voting as an integral part of that affirmation. “Citizens have a responsibility to participate in the political process by registering and voting in elections.”.
Native born citizens sometimes take this responsibility for granted, but keep in mind that by not voting, an eligible citizen of the U.S. implies consent to governance by incumbent public officeholders. Some might say that choosing not to vote also equates to forfeiture of any right to voice any complaint about current governmental officials. “You get what you get, and you don’t pitch a fit!” Yikes!
A Helpful Hint for Election Day: Print a Sample Ballott
As the November 2024 general election draws near, look for a sample ballot for your voting precincts on the Georgia My Voter Page:
Print a copy of the sample ballot and mark your choices, then bring this ballot with you to the polls. You cannot use your phone to research candidates real time once you’ve entered your polling location, and you cannot keep a list of your preferred candidates on your phone, but you can bring in a copy of a marked paper ballot (or a hand-written list of your chosen candidates) and use it as your “cheat sheet” at the polls.
Anyone who voted in the May 2024 primary election knows that it was an incredibly long ballot. One of the poll workers took the time to personally thank me and my husband for bringing in our “cheat sheet” because it expedited the voting process and showed that we’d done our research.
I Do Vote in Every Election, So What Else Can I Do?
Amazing! Thank you for your commitment and participation in our democratic republic. You can help by speaking with your neighbors about our elections. You do not have to “talk politics”. I am not suggesting that anyone who is reading this article votes for any particular candidate, nor would I engage in that conversation with one of my neighbors unless I was asked for my opinion. I am simply asking you to remind your friends and neighbors to take part in this very important responsibility as citizens of this great country.
Remind people about upcoming elections. Spread the news about the deadlines for registering to vote in November or request an absentee ballot if needed. Offer to take an elderly neighbor to the polls if they need a ride and would rather vote in person than via absentee ballot and share the link for the “GA My Voter Page” with people so they can update their voter registrations and print sample ballots in order to vote in an informed and responsible manner.
We had historic numbers of voters show up for the last presidential election and that is great news, but local elections are equally as important. Don’t let your neighbors decide how your city, county, and state are governed. Take the time to get to know the people running for local offices and cast your ballot for candidates of your choice. Let’s build a strong community through full participation in every election!
