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Eye on Sedona Voter Apathy

Sedona AZ (July 24, 2012) The 26th Amendment of the Constitution states “The rights of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged…” but yet we continue to see dismal actual voter turnouts.

Since the mid 1960’s, voter turnout across all ages, with a few exceptions, has been declining. The United States has on average the lowest voter turnout in the world (among mature democracies) by an average of 10 to 15 percent. Voter apathy is creeping up slowly. Some call it Political Depression and it begs the questions: If people don’t participate, at what point does a democracy cease to be democratic?

As a first-time City Council member, I want to thank those who voted for me — all 1,864 of you. Out of 2,977 residents, 62.6% voted to elect me to serve on the Council. Once again, thank you; but this article is addressed to the 3,371 registered voters who did not vote for anyone.

Interesting fact about voter age demographics in the recent general election (total US): about 17% of eligible voters between the ages of 18 – 25 ended up voting, and everyone thought they would be the game changers. Eligible voters between the ages of 26 – 49, only 55% turned out to vote, but the matured individuals over the age of 50 equated to almost 70%.

In politics, voter apathy is a term used to describe a perceived lack of caring among voters in an election. Voter apathy is often cited as a cause of low turnout among eligible voters. Or, many people are just lazy when it comes to voting so they usually just pick the first candidates they see on the ballot just to get it over with. Farther down the ballot, the fewer the number of votes will be cast. To quote the Sedona Red Rock News, “An uniformed voter aimlessly checking boxes is much more dangerous than a resident electing to leave a section blank because he or she isn’t familiar with the issue”.

There is a phrase in the Preamble of the United States Constitution that says “and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America“. Many heroic Americans gave their lives defending the basic right of voting and the democratic process, which the Preamble declared as a God given right.

Here are the staggering results of the lives loss to maintain our democratic process: American Revolutionary War 8,000, American Civil War 212,938, World War I 53,402, World War II 291,557, Korean War 33,746, and the Vietnam War 47,355. We now know that the belief of freedom and the right to choose their leaders is being embraced by countries all over the world.

The Arizona We Want and the AZ Civic Health Index has reported that Arizona ranks in the “bottom 10” of every aspect of voter participation – being informed, registration and turnout. That is why May was Voter Registration month and the League of Women Voters and a team of dedicated volunteers were training members all over the Verde Valley to help with the Justice Sandra Day O’Conner House Centennial Voter Engagement Project in the Verde Valley.

Let’s continue with the education and challenge to our citizens. Let’s join together and strive to stimulate an informed and engaged electorate, to create more awareness of the importance of voting, to provide easy access to fact- based information, and to get people to the polls in record numbers regardless of party or views.

Simply put, let’s challenge Sedonaians to believe in the democratic process and demonstrate their civic responsibility by informed and involved voting. Let’s strive to move Arizona from the bottom 10 states in voter participation and civic engagement to the top 10.

To quote Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Not voting, not participating in the democratic process in your community, and not being informed is tantamount to “doing nothing.” Let’s change the statistics in Sedona. Let’s take the challenge to participate – to vote – to contribute in a positive way in our community, and let’s work together to make Sedona proud.

If you don’t vote, you can’t gripe. Keep in mind: If you are not part of the solution, maybe you are part of the problem.

This Eye on Sedona article is written by Sedona City Councillor John Martinez and submitted by the City of Sedona with the following disclaimer:   The views that I (John Martinez) am expressing (in this article) are my personal opinions and not necessarily the opinion or position of the City of Sedona or the City Council.

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10 Comments

  1. Michael J. Germain Jul 25 Facebook

    Over the course of the next few weeks primary election season is heating up. All we have as citizens, at the end of the day, is our vote and our effort. The goals of societal transformation and the evolution of consciousness, the core of my reason for seeking elected office, are too important to stand on the sidelines.

    Our future depends on it.

  2. Linda Hersey says:

    Liked this article on Facebook @SedonaTimes

  3. Princeline Roxbury – I Totally agree. Educate yourself and VOTE!
    Yesterday at 6:26am · Like @SedonaTimes on Facebook

    Princeline Roxbury – Just changed my registration so I am good to go!
    Yesterday at 3:17pm · Like @SedonaTimes on Facebook

  4. Lin Ennis says:

    Thank you, Councilor Martinez. Excellent call to action!

    Perhaps a smaller factor than apathy is having elections on Tuesday (to allow for horse and buggy travel after Sunday). To compensate for that and the shrinking number of polling places, I urge you and your friends in every state to sign up for permanent early voting by mail.

    For Arizona, here’s the link and instruction–it take five minutes, tops:
    http://servicearizona.com/content.jsp?docName=SAZHomeEZVoter1

  5. The last day to REGISTER TO VOTE in ARIZONA is Monday, July 30th. If you or someone you know has not registered to vote please remind them to register.

    Vera Kwaayesnama Skorupski Skor

  6. Warren says:

    Total hypocrisy.

    Decrying lack of voting participation while at the same time charging people $250 who want to participate in the process via the City’s Publicity Pamphlet is a bit rich.

    The $250 fee is most assuredly a “barrier to entry” into the political process. It is an obvious impediment to free speech. It stifles political dialog and has the effect of lessening interest.

    The notion that the money is needed to offset “printing and postage” is complete rubbish.

    We are already paying for services of this sort via our taxes. So this is not “User pays”. It is “Payers gettin’ used”.

    The amount of money gained by charging people who make comments is miniscule. There is no “offset” to be gained, only annoyance.

    Since the fee has the effect of discouraging people from commenting, the “offset” is guaranteed to stay miniscule.

    Council wastes so much money in other areas and actually gives away hundreds of thousands in “free money” to beggar groups. What a warped perspective it is then to bilk residents who want to take part in the political process.

  7. Sedona Voter says:

    Voter apathy comes from people witnessing repeatedly (until they believe) that their vote just does not count.

    In Sedona, we see the very same faces over and over taking center stage in public positions and attempts by “outsiders” (e.g., people who haven’t lived here as long as the Sedona 30. ‘er 57) are vilified. Indeed, the local newspaper continues to support the publisher’s colleagues and excludes any other discussion regarding opposing views.

    Many of us have know people with prior professional experience in many areas where this City needs experts, whose skills are ignored, rebuffed or minimized by those in power. It’s very sad for those of us who relocated here to watch the destruction of what was probably once a more wonderful place than now.

  8. Preston says:

    Never does it cease to amaze me how uneducated American voters are and that statement crosses all socio-economic and cultural and ethnic groups. I know it’s late and I’m aggravated and I should probably not write but here goes anyhow:

    When does religion trump the Constitution? When does government bureaucracy trump the peoples majority (like the Supreme Court decision that a corporation equals a person)? When do voters become educated enough to ask intelligent questions of their candidates? When does a political party have the right to not compromise for the common good? When does the right of a non-taxpayer supercede the right of the taxpayer? When does a philosophical difference limit mankinds ability to think and to reason and to decide cooperatively?

    Unless you know how the budget is developed and voted upon, you are ignorant. Unless you know what a Representative and a Senator can vote on, you are ignorant. Unless you know how the banking system uses your money, you are ignorant. Unless you know how the international monetary funds impact your mortgage, you are ignorant.

    If this comment irritates you or is “over your head” YOU ARE IGNORANT and you are responsible for the election of the fools now in office. Isn’t being ignorant an embarrassment for you Democrats and Republicans and Others running for office and for those of you voting?

  9. NOTICE OF INTENT TO REVISE THE CONSOLIDATED FEE SCHEDULE for City of Sedona:

    Click below to review proposed changes to the consolidated fee schedule for the City of Sedona. This schedule contains proposed fee increases in some categories. Please note that only the categories where changes have been proposed are included on this schedule. Comments from the public concerning these proposed fees and fee increases are welcomed. Following a 60 day comment period the proposed schedule and fee increases will be presented to the City Council for formal adoption.

    View proposed changes to consolidated fee schedule at http://www.SedonaAZ.gov website.

    /s/ Susan L. Irvine, August 2, 2012
    Susan L. Irvine, CMC, City Clerk

  10. Popcorn Basel says:

    It’s remarkable to pay a visit this website and reading the views of all mates we like us

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