“My vote doesn’t count.” How many times have you heard, or worse yet, used, that phrase? Allow me to say, Bullsh**! Allow me to say it very loudly, very clearly. BULLSH**!
In Utah, we hear often how the state is run by “The Church”, or controlled by “The Republican Party”. The real numbers don’t bear that out.
The State of Utah was ranked 46th - out of 50- in the 2008 (1)presidential election in voter turnout of eligible voters. Only 56% of us cared enough to vote. Fifty six percent! (As you probably are curious, Hawaii was 48.8%, Texas 54.1%, and Oklahoma 55.8%.) How much worse that 56% can it get? Much worse. Pathetically worse, actually.
In the 2010 elections, we elected a Governor (Herbert), a Senator (Lee), and 3 representatives (Bishop, Matheson, and Chaffetz). I say “we”, because I voted. The hard fact -the one you don’t want to recognize or admit- is these elected officials were voted into office by a very small minority of the eligible voters. Utah has a potential voter count of 1.94 million, according to the 2010 census. Only 30.2% of those eligible to vote turned out and cast a ballot.
Our Governor was elected by only 594,007 voters. Our Senator was elected by 582,230 votes. Together, Thirty point two percent of the potential voters in Utah elected “our” Governor and Senator. 30.2% (2)This-30.2%- is not government by the majority. It is government by apathy.
But back to the original arguments for “my vote doesn’t count.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints claims 1.8 million members (including children) in Utah. The Republican party has 40.6% (596,000) of the registered voters. Democrats are only 9.1% (133,770) of the registered voters. But- and it is a very big BUT- only 594,007 voters turned out to elect the Governor. So, if “The Church” or “The Republican Party”, ran the state, you would expect much higher turnouts. It didn’t happen.
The reality is this, dear reader. It’s your fault, my fault. We don’t collectively work for voter registration; we don’t ask if our neighbors, family or friends need a ride to the polls. If you are in the 30.2% who voted, thank you, and get off your backside and help others to register and vote. If you happen to be in the 69.8% who are not registered, or worse, don’t vote, SHAME ON YOU!
The 2012 elections are upon us, with all the rhetoric and nasty campaign tactics. But the truth is, your vote DOES count, your neighbors’ vote counts. Let’s get past ourselves, past our divides, and make this an election year when every person votes, when the will of the people is done. Hold your elected officials accountable, and let them know you vote! Let them know you vote for those who best represent YOU, the people of the United States of America.
To borrow a phrase, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
(1)Source: Dr Michael McDonald,
George Mellon University, Fairfax, VA.
(http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2008G.html)
(2)Source: Salt Lake Tribune, Jan 5, 2012
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