[Winona Online Democracy]
My opinion and attempts to your questions are:
1. When two candidates for the same office have very similar positions on
many issues some people do not have a burning desire to vote. If on the
other hand their positions are radically different I would anticipate a
higher percent will vote some out of fear and some to support. In
addition, I believe that some also feel they have no power and therefore
why invest the time if nothing will change.
2. I would like to know what the countries are since I would think they
would reflect two or three major consistencies. a) In countries where
people have been denied the right to vote and then it becomes available I
would expect higher turnouts. b) In countries which may have fought major
wars during which their right to vote was denied or suppressed I would
expect higher turnouts. c) When people feel they are empowered by their
vote I would expect larger turnouts. Initiative and referendum options
would in my opinion solve part of that problem.
3) I disagree with the implications of the third question - "People vote
regardless of their wealth if they feel empowered by their vote". If you
are going to take away ones right to chose what to do with the money that
they have worked hard to earn then they may have a greater incentive to
vote. "People invest their time and talent in whatever is their passion."
If their passion is Monday night football why would they attend a Monday
School Board Meeting. If their passion is their kids or educational
improvement then maybe the place they will show up is at the School Board
Meeting. People, regardless of wealth put their energy into what they feel
is important. One of the responsibilies of those elected is to excite
people into becoming involved thus making things better at whatever
activity we are engaged in.
If I disagree with the direction of the country, second right amendments or
whatever the issue I will expend whatever energy is necessary to engage,
perswade and convince others so as to attempt to prevail in the outcome.
My sons have been raised to understand and believe that commitment to cause
makes most things possible.
Paul Double
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 15:47:37 -0500
>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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>>>
>>>
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>
>
>
>----------------
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>
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