It’s important for voters to study the issues, research the candidates and statewide measures, then make certain they return their ballot to the county auditor’s office by Nov. 8. Ballots that are postmarked beyond that date, or ballots that are unsigned will – unfortunately – not be tallied. We would hate to see otherwise legitimate ballots set aside simply because of an omission or miscue on the part of the voter.
There is no doubt that a so-called “off-year” election lacks the pizazz and intrigue of a presidential election. And this year’s election lacks the sparkle of what promises to be an important state election next year when voters will be selecting a new governor, secretary of state, auditor and attorney general. Also on that 2012 ballot will be the presidential race, a contest for the U.S. Senate and numerous state legislative contests. We’ll be electing officials from the White House to the courthouse and the election is expected to draw ballots from about 90 percent of the registered voters.
But this year’s election is equally important and yet we had a miserable 26.2 percent voter turnout in the August primary election where the field of candidates was pruned and Tumwater voters faced a ballot proposition to raise taxes to pay for police and fire protection. That measure passed by a thin eight-vote margin, a clear demonstration of the importance of every vote.
At the start of this election cycle, Kim Wyman, Thurston County’s auditor and chief elections officer, stressed the importance of the local offices up for election this fall. She said, “Even though they are the lowest-profile offices, they are the offices that affect our daily lives. When we think about our daily commute to work, what books our kids read in school, and how long the response time is in an emergency, these are the elected officials that make those decisions.”
Wyman is right.
The city and town council races on the Nov. 8, general election ballot, will go a long way toward determining the future of our communities – from the availability of water and sewer services to how our cities grow, entice new businesses and provide other essential services.
The school board members elected next month will chart the future for our children and determine what they learn in the classroom and whether they are well-prepared for their future endeavors.
Fire district commissioners set levels of service and decide when to replace equipment.
There are also five statewide measures on the Nov. 8, general election ballot – two constitutional amendments, a measure on training of home health care workers, a Tim Eyman initiative to have lawmakers set toll rates and a measure to privatize state liquor sales and distribution.
These are pivotal decisions.
Unfortunately, many South Sound residents simply won’t take the time to educate themselves and cast an informed ballot. They will let others make these important decisions for them.
History shows that about half the voters will return a ballot by Nov. 8. Voter turnout: 2009: 51.77 percent; 2007: 49.98 percent; 2005: 55.82 percent; and 2003: 39.29 percent.
Those are abysmal statistics. Surely we can do better.
In an effort to help educate voters, The Olympian – and others – have hosted community forums. Thurston Community Television taped our candidate forums in Tumwater, Lacey and Olympia. There are links to those broadcasts on The Olympian’s website at theolympian.com/opinion.
In addition, The Olympian’s editorial board has interviewed the candidates and proponents and opponents of the ballot measures and posted our recommendations in the newspaper and online. To review those endorsements go to theolympian.com/opinion.
Whether you agree or disagree with those endorsements, the important thing is to be heard through your vote.
Secretary of State Sam Reed said, “The election this year could have a huge impact on the future of our state and our local governments. We voters will decide on three compelling issues: funding of our future transportation system, training for long-term-care workers, and whether state government or private businesses will sell hard liquor. More important, decisions will be made about cities, towns, school districts, ports, fire districts and other local governments that will have a profound impact on everyone’s lives, homes and communities. Be sure to become well informed and vote.”
We couldn’t sum it up any better.
