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Opinion Editorial Voters have spoken; 5% of them at least The turnout for Saturday's election for Amarillo mayor and City Commission was appalling. About 5 percent of the nearly 100,000 registered voters bothered to go to the polls either Saturday or during early voting. Five percent. What does this mean for our community and are there lessons here? First, and foremost, the city officials who were re-elected were not chosen by a majority of the citizenry. The 5,300 or so voters represent about 3 percent of the total population. Until we have the data from the precincts and have had a chance to study it, we won't know whom the commission really represents. But this much we know: The commissioners should not view this return to power as a mandate for whatever their agendas may be. Second, the move to spring from the traditional November general election day can only be considered an incumbent-protection plan — not surprising since incumbent legislators put the plan in place. But the election in the spring stands in isolation from the normal political season and without a controversial issue on the ballot, people are beyond caring. Third, the lack of interest in the election, we believe, reflects despair from voters who don't believe they matter any more. Maybe it's the conservative voters in this community who felt that the Democratic landslide last fall disenfranchised them. Maybe it's the voters in parts of the community who see that the city officials have disenfranchised them. Or, perhaps, the voter sees the economy as the bigger issue and the local government can do nothing about it. Whatever the reasons, this much is clear. Amarillo gets the government it voted for and deserves. For those who stayed home and repudiated their most sacred of American rights, we say, you've really lost your right to engage in public debate. Sit down, be quiet, and next time, get off your butts and vote. E-mail
comments about this story Posted: May 14, 2009 |
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