Harris County Primary Turnout
Harris County primary results for the Republican primary appear to be a mixed blessing. On one hand, take a look at the differences in primary turnout percentage over the past years:
2000 – 9.46 %
2002 – 5.00 %
2004 – 4.45 %
2006 – 4.44 %
2008 – 9.45 %
2010 – 8.35 %
This year saw abnormally high turnout for a non-presidential election. But at the same time, less than 10% of eligible voters in Harris County are choosing the candidates who will be on the ballot in the November election, even in the most hotly contested races, and that’s very sad.
So the question is, why don’t people vote in primaries?
Let’s find out. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to ask around. Talk to people while the primaries are fresh on people’s minds. Ask them the questions:
1. Did you vote in the primary?
2. If not, why not?
Then come back to the comments page and record the answers. And if YOU didn’t vote in a primary, tell us why not. In order to start to change this pattern, we have to understand it. Let’s find out, and then we can craft a plan to attack low voter turnout.
“My vote doesn’t matter,” “They all suck,” “Why bother? They’re all crooked!” “It doesn’t affect my life.” “I dont have time.” “They’re all controlled by corporate lobby anyway.”
Actually this is a good thing because the lower the turnout the more likely the ones who voted actually had some knowledge and interest of and in the candidates. A lower turnout magnifies the impact of one person’s vote.
I reject that, Walter. More knowledgeable voters is the goal. Get someone invested in a race in the primary and you guarantee they show up in November.
My brother’s answer: “You don’t vote in the primaries because you don’t even get to vote against the other side, it’s just your own party you can vote for.” I explained why that attitude seems to insure that career politicians keep their office. His other reason was he thought it was ONLY the Governor’s race, he didn’t know it was also State Reps, etc. So, basically, major ignorance.
Walter may have a point. Many in the non-voting public can be tacitly saying “Hey Tea Party, go vote in the primary and get us a good candidate for the November election”
Tea Party Power, siltently demanded…..
I think that a lot of people are not aware of the importance of the primary. In many cases it will determine the outcome of the race because most people vote party line in the general election. ( FWIW, I select “Party Line” and then select or write in individual candidates if I think they are the best for the job. ) In Harris Co there are so many candidates that it’s impossible, or nearly so, to know all of them. So, some kind of a crib sheet is necessary for the primary. Either that, or you skip the majority of the races and only vote in those races where you have some knowledge of the candidates. I was thinking that a Tea Party list of approved candidates would be helpful. It wouldn’t be perfect but it would be a place to start. I ended up referencing about 4 lists of “approved” candidates to come up with a list. And, I know that I voted the “wrong way” in a couple of races because of a lack of knowledge.
William, it would have been nice to have volunteers interested in vetting candidates. Every time it was brought up, it fizzled.
My wife and I both voted
Personally, we only knew something about 4 candidates we wanted in. They won.
@William above nailed it.
Maybe in next round of Primaries, we get the candidates to write TO US…IF THEY HOPE FOR OUR VOTE.
Confused & saddened as to most voter’s attitude. I havn’t missed a primary since I was eligible to vote. Had to be 21 back in the dark ages.
How many people know that the League of Women Voters publishes a paper on candidates, printing the candidates’ answers to appropriate questions? If you work for a big company, there may be copies of it at your workplace. Otherwise, check at the public library, before every election! It’ll at least let you know how many offices are up for election and who’s running. Then you can go to each candidate’s website and see what each has to say. You can mark up the paper and carry it into the voting booth with you so you don’t lose track of whom you meant to vote for.
Pogo
Yes, all voters should study their options before voting, and you can take a Voters Guide or your own crib sheets in with you. But, be sure you observe the inherent bias of the group producing each Voters Guide.
How many people know that the League of Women Voters are totally liberal? Instead, I’d suggest you try the League of American Voters. http://leagueofamericanvoters.com/
Felicia – Sorry that the idea to vet candidates didn’t fly this go round. Next time, I’m in!