Voter Turnout is a Joke

35% voter turnout for the primary? Are you kidding me? And we’re excited and proud of this?

We are a nation at war, whether you support it or not. We live in one of the most heavily taxed states (and despite those taxes have really crummy roads, which should be repaired with some of that money). It is a presidential election year. Every able-bodied person who CAN vote SHOULD!!! It’s our civic duty. Our country was founded with the intent of creating a government elected FOR the people BY THE PEOPLE! Hello? Anyone listening? The people that refers to… that’s US!

There are few excuses for not voting.

Can’t get to the polls? I believe there’s a hotline you can call for a ride. Most political parties will drive people to the polls.

No time to vote? The polls in Wisconsin are open from 7AM to 8PM. You make time for what’s important. Or vote absentee.

Don't know where you need to go to vote? Call the election commission in the municipality in which you live. Or call City Hall. They'll point you in the right direction.

Think your vote doesn’t count? In the past few years there have been a number of local contests that have been decided by just a few votes.

Don’t want to drag the kids? I can understand that to a point, but you’re setting an example by taking them with you to vote. One of my most vivid memories is my mom taking my younger brother and I with her to vote at the polling place at Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Illinois. I remember how cool it felt to go into the voting booth (which was fitted with red, white, and blue striped curtains), closing the curtains, and watching my mom punch the ballot. I asked her lots of questions. I must have been in grade school at that point. That experience left an impression on me. My siblings and I all were super-excited to be able to vote when we turned 18. I think I’ve missed one election since then… and it was a really small local primary. And I felt bad about it for weeks.

I don’t care which political party or candidate you support. That’s your business not mine. And notice, ever the journalist, I kept my own personal politics out of it! That’s my business, not yours! Voting is a right and a duty that our forefathers and foremothers fought for. You have no right to complain about the government or the state of this country unless you get out there and vote. So remember this as the campaign season continues. When October rolls around, cast your vote absentee if you think you can’t make it to the polls. Call your friends, family, neighbors, whoever and see if they need a ride to the polls. Remind all your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers to vote.

I’m on a mission to get the voter turnout percentage up to a respectable number. I hope you’ll join me.