Well we are in the home stretch for the Town elections. Counting today, just three Saturdays left for the visibility groupies. It is an annual ritual that most of you locally are aware of. Supporters gather, usually at the Route 6/Alden Road intersection, holding signs for their favorite candidate(s).
Most different signs I have ever seen someone hold at the same time is four. I would add though it was on a real calm day. It seems the theory of March winds is never more evident than on a sign holding Saturday. Nasty business as far as weather. Spring may be coming, but it never gets here quick enough for sign holding.
Signs in general, lawn signs, seem a bit sparse. Early in the week I took a ride along the length of Main Street on to Adams Street to the Rte. 6 intersection. First time I can actually remember seeing such a sparse output. Also, first time I can remember there being more signs out for the other races than selectman's.
Again, as we hear every time there is a discussion about signs is the fact signs don't vote. While you can't count of a vote from a sign, what they do give is an indication of the interest and involvement level in the election.
Except in the usual circles, it seems that those things are way down, and indeed in the usual circles that seems to be off a bit. There will be a better indicator this weekend and next as to just how high a temperature the "fever" pitch will reach.
I am guessing not above normal, and for an election normal isn't a good thing. Which is why I always get a kick out of winners declaring a mandate or an expression of wide support. When 30% turnout is considered above normal, when you get 60% or less of the vote, it means you at best have been able to get about 12 1/2% of the total population, or 20% of eligible voters to vote for you.
The old saying "you get what you vote for" should be switched to "you get what you don't vote for". On average, withing a few percentage points either way 7 to 8 people out of 10 simply don't vote, sometimes even more, in a town election. The complaint factor however is usually the exact opposite.
If one was forced to isolate the top theme for the election, the driving factor, it would be change. It eventually crops up no matter who you talk to. Pretty much most folks talk about the need for change. Where the split over it occurs comes down to whether this is the right time or the wrong time.
Me, I am all for making change, just so long as the dollar bill being handed over is replaced with $1.00 worth of coins. If you are going to short change me, you best have a pretty solid reason as to not only why you are doing it, but what you intend to do with the extra nickel or two you are keeping.
Some people say, "I don't vote because the candidate I want never wins," or, "It won't make a difference." But every election, whether it produces the hoped for result or not, remains an opportunity to make a statement to who they support and who they don't.
ReplyDeleteAll candidates who are elected, even those who ran unopposed, should look at the percentage of the votes they received. Winning an election while receiving a minimal percentage of votes cast may not necessarily be considered an endorsement of a 'job well done.'
Just because your preferred candidate doesn't win- your vote still lets your voice be heard.