Yesterday a municipal election was held in Atlanta--if you want to call it that. In my District 6 less than 20% of registered voters turned out to vote for a critical city council post. Voter turn out in most elections is pitiful--so many citizens follow the president but are apathetic about issues closer to home. Last year in the presidential election lines at some precincts wrapped around the building. This year the same precincts waited 30 minutes before a single voter showed up.
For over 230 years our forefathers and present day soldiers have fought to preserve our independence and right to exercise our individual preferences in democratic elections. All the lives that have been lost in wars in our own country and all over the world during those 230 years are suppose to be about preserving that right. Perhaps most Americans today feel voting in elections doesn't matter anymore. When citizens are apathetic, government officials listen to those with money and influence. But it does matter. In District 6 when 2 candidates are separated by 6 votes with 48 provisional votes to be counted, it matters a great deal.
These 2 candidates were divided on a major issue, i.e. should a controversial parking deck be constructed in Piedmont Park. For the past year many debates, editorials, & articles have discussed the pros and cons of this issue. Everyone I asked had deep feelings one way or the other. It was like attempting to debate the abortion issue--everyone passionate, decided and ready to defend their position to the death. But yesterday less than 6,000 out of 30,000 voters showed up.
I have never missed voting in an election since becoming a registered voter. I've never decided the outcome of a single election, I have sometimes voted for obscure names for individual offices because I couldn't find any real information on either one. I've only voted for a major presidential candidate in 3 out of 10 elections because only having 2 choices is not enough in my opinion.
But I always show up and vote. What a pity so many others don't.
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