Voting that puts us to shame
Published September 23, 2014
Editorial by Burlington Times-News, September 22, 2014.
There’s a number from Scotland’s failed referendum on independence that should amaze and shame us: 84.6.
That’s the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot Thursday on whether their country should remain part of the United Kingdom. Compare that with North Carolina, where voting is now open for the Nov. 4 general election here and across the country. It’s an off-year election, which means there’s no presidential race to consider, so if precedent holds, we’ll be fortunate to get half the voter turnout that Scotland did. In the last off-year general election in 2010, just under 40 percent of North Carolina’s eligible voters cast a ballot.
Yes, the Scots were voting to end a 307-year union with England, so there’s a considerable difference between Thursday’s vote across the pond and what North Carolinians will decide in November.
But is the difference really that big? This fall, N.C. voters will choose our next U.S. Senator — either incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan or Republican challenger Thom Tillis. The outcome could very well decide which party is in control of the Senate, which would impact critical policy issues facing our country for the next two years.
Alamance County voters will be deciding the makeup of the board of education (nine candidates!) and the county board of commissioners. Two candidates are vying for district attorney who were separated by just six votes four years ago and there is a very active campaign for state House in District 63. And consider this, most Alamance County voters will be deciding who their next congressional representative will be. In the 6th District that seat has been occupied for 30 years by the same person — Howard Coble.
We recommend learning about the races and candidates so an informed decision is possible. The Times-News is sponsoring candidate forums on Oct. 13 and 14 at the Paramount Theater in Burlington. The state House and candidates for commissioner take the stage on Oct. 13 while the district attorney hopefuls and school board candidates do so on Oct. 14. Come out and hear what they have to say.
But our biggest recommendation? Do something. Fill out a ballot. Treat Nov. 4 like the Scots treated Thursday — as a chance to determine their direction. Independence might not be at stake, but representation is. That’s a pretty big deal, too.
September 23, 2014 at 10:28 am
Norm Kelly says:
So, the bottom line is that the fewer voters, interested, aware, educated, informed voters that we have making choices in our country and state, the better off we all are. Who is better to represent NC interests in the US Senate, Hagan the socialist or Tillis the mostly conservative candidate? How has Hagan helped to get out-of-control federal spending under control? How has Hagan helped get out-of-control federal interference in daily life under control? How has Hagan helped get out-of-control federal scandals properly investigated? The number of scandals in 'the most open, transparent' administration in history are so numerous that it's hard to keep track of them all or even a majority of them. Yet, what has K done to get to the bottom of any of them? Does K even believe there is anything to get to the bottom of?
So my belief is that fewer voters may be the best thing to happen to our state in almost 6 years! Let the low-information, low-motivation voters stay home so the right candidate is elected.
