[Winona Online Democracy]
I am going to throw some more ideas into this discussion. (Which I am no
expert in.)
Perhaps voter turn out is related to how convenient we make it to vote, this
certainly seems to make difference to consumers in their buying/shopping
patterns.(It seems to hold true in convenience stores, fast food and
banking)
1. If we make voter registration easier then we should see a higher turn
out. If this is true then the states with the easiest voter registration
should see the highest voter turnouts.
2. Maybe Governor Ventura is right that the more options/choices you give
people the higher turn out you will see. If this is true you should see
higher turnouts in states that make it easiest for candidates to get on the
ballot.
3. If we make it easier to vote by cutting down the paperwork at the polls,
offer many convenient locations, offer well staffed sites and a number of
voting booths to cut down the time and length of lines this should also
encourage additional voter turnout.
4. If we offered convenient alternative voting methods in addition to
current polling methods it should increase voter participation. Things like
online voting, Touch tone phone response systems, and voting kiosks similar
to an ATM. These certainly would not be for everyone, nor would they
replace the current polls, but would make the process more accessible for
some people.
5. Extend the voting period over a longer time period. and number of days
to make the process more convenient and thereby accessible to more people
and schedules. Night shifts and other work schedules would be better
served. The current polling times were developed in an era when our country
was much more agrarian in make up.
I know that some of these seem real off the wall at this point in time but I
would venture to guess that we will see some of these at least in the
future. The need to change to keep up with the changing society is great,
if it does not the population will not support it. I believe that the
framers of the constitution envisioned the need for measured change, and
maybe the time has come to discontinue the electoral college?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dwayne Voegeli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 2:47 PM
Subject: [Winona] Democratic Involvement
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> Hello Paul,
>
> You raised some good points and I won't argue that there will always be a
> few people who prefer to exercise their right not to vote and be heard.
>
> At the same time, beyond individual laziness, do you think there are any
> systemic reasons for low voter turnout?
>
> Why do other countries have much higher voter turnouts than the U.S.? Are
> Americans just lazy?
>
> Isn't there a connection between wealth and voting or are poor people just
> plain lazy?
>
> Dwayne
>
> ============
>
>
> >[Winona Online Democracy]
> >
> >Public Policy is determined by those who show up. That includes the
> >elections, City Council, County and School Board meetings and active
> >participation in Planning Commissions, Focus Groups etc. Those who want
to
> >enjoy the fruits of Democracy also need to make an investment of their
time
> >and talent. With involvement policies, rules and laws can change but
> >those who side on the sidelines may not like the outcome. So get
involved,
> >strive to make things better or sit back and pay the bills and complain,
> >complain, complain.
> >
> >Paul Double
> >[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> >
> >don >Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 13:58:20 -0500
> >>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>From: Dwayne Voegeli <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >>Subject: [Winona] Election Turnout Misperception?
> >>Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>
> >>[Winona Online Democracy]
> >>
> >>Hello Paul and Others,
> >>
> >>In regards to heavy voter turnout, correct me if I'm wrong with this
> >statement:
> >>
> >>The Winona Daily News stated in an article today that the voter turnout
was
> >>as high as 85% in some precincts.
> >>
> >>The article was only talking about people who had already preregistered.
> >>
> >>Doesn't that mean that the number does NOT reflect all the people who
have
> >>not registered to vote?
> >>
> >>Am I accurate?
> >>
> >>If so, even though the number is nice, it does not represent the numbers
of
> >>all potential voters.
> >>
> >>What do you think?
> >>
> >>Dwayne
> >>
> >>==============
> >>
> >>
> >>>Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 09:33:35 -0600 (CST)
> >>>X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>>From: Paul Double <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >>>Subject: [Winona] Elections
> >>>Mime-Version: 1.0
> >>>Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>>Precedence: bulk
> >>>
> >>>I second your comment. It was a long but good day. Lots of people
> >>>registering to vote either as new voters or because of relocation. I
> >>>believe many precincts were close to 85 percent turnout.
> >>>The new Secretary of State web site is also a big plus in getting the
> >>>details and breakdowns. http://elections.sos.state.mn.us
> >>>
> >>>Paul Double
> >>>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>>
> >>>>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>>>Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 15:15:49 EST
> >>>>Subject: [Winona] Elections
> >>>>>
> >>>> I really enjoy being able to be an election judge, working to
continue
> >>>>our great process that we have. It's amazing how everyone is able to
set
> >>>>their political adgendas aside and work for more than 15 hrs together
with
> >>>>the common goal of helping every eligible voter exercise their right
to
> >vote
> >>>>within the rules provided.
> >>>> The head judges are really very important members of our
community,
> >>>>doing their best to maintain these rules. We have a great process!
> >It's
> >>>>a lot to be proud of!
> >>>>
> >>>> Kathleen
Giebel
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:WinonaEl (TEXT/ttxt) (0001F10E)
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>----------------
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> >>
> >>
> >>
> >----------------
> >This message was posted to the Winona Online Democracy Project.
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>
>
> ----------------
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