Sadly, low voter turnout wins again
IF YOU DON’T VOTE, YOU CAN’T COMPLAIN.
We’ve all heard this saying before, but never has it rung so true than for Tuesday’s primary election. Despite beginning the process to elect local leaders who will be charged with establishing policies and overseeing operations of municipalities, local school districts, county row offices and magisterial district judge offices, the voter turnout rate was, well, just sad.
In Allegheny County, of the 908,607 registered voters, there were 227,121 votes cast, a dismal 25%.
The same rang true in Washington County, where only 28,732 of 144,860 registered voters, a disappointing 19.83%, voted.
It wasn’t much better in Westmoreland County, where 52,411 of 218,266 registered voters (24.01%) went to the polls Tuesday.
Fayette County’s totals weren’t available, but we’re going to make a safe assumption it wasn’t much better.
These numbers should have those who voted angry — angry that their closest neighbors decided not to cast their ballots to help their community’s future.
The problem runs deeper than just getting out to vote. The very low turnout is symptomatic of many people who are just not informed.
How do we know this? Because had they been informed, they would have felt moved, compelled and motivated to have their voices heard.
But low voting turnouts shouldn’t be accepted or justified.
To those who voted, we thank you for taking part in the democratic process.
For the thousands more who didn’t hit the polls, we challenge you to become versed in local politics and your elected officials.
We also challenge those who voted to share their insight and educate others on important community issues.
Yes, it’s easy to get swept away during national elections. But, as important as the national election is, local elections are even more important. They directly affect you, your neighbors and those you know and love.
Pretty soon, you — the ones living in our neighborhoods who did not vote — will have a new person representing you, and you may not know it until you’re personally affected by an issue.
Then you may realize the candidate who was best for you isn’t on that seat, and by then, it’s too late.
Of course, you could have changed this had you voted.
A small percentage of Mon Valley residents thankfully still vote, perhaps out of a sense of duty. But increasingly, it seems, people would rather rant on social media than vote to express their political views.
But, it’s not too late. You still have a chance to make your voices heard in the Nov. 4 general election. Mark it on your calendar. Your vote matters.
