Thought about running?

Published 12:01 am Thursday, May 19, 2011

Voter apathy is a sad constant in local elections. On average over the past five odd-year general elections, fewer than half of Snohomish County’s registered voters have bothered to cast a ballot. (The percentage is lower yet if you consider eligible voters who don’t register.) Turnout for primary e

lections is even more anemic.

This disconnect is hard to fathom. Yet year after year, most voting-age citizens let others decide who will represent them in local government — who will make decisions about the taxes they pay and the public services they count on.

Perhaps it’s a sign of overall satisfaction with the status quo. Or the exact opposite.

One thing we’re sure doesn’t help: a ballot full of unchallenged incumbents running for countywide offices, city council and school board seats, or positions on fire, water and sewer commissions.

Far too many “races” on local election ballots aren’t races at all. The apathy expressed by voters seems too often to be shared by folks who have the time, talent and background to contribute to their communities by running for office.

If you’re one of those people, your chance to make a difference is here. Scores of county, city and local-district offices are up for election this year, and the candidate filing period is June 6-10.

If you’ve ever thought about serving your community in public office, or just knew you could do a better job than someone already in power, we urge you to take the plunge. Even if you don’t end up winning, you’ll be performing an invaluable service by making sure important issues get a thorough public airing.

Challenging an incumbent forces accountability that can’t be captured any other way. That’s not to say that most unchallenged incumbents become lazy or unresponsive, but we’ve noticed that few things focus a politician’s attention quite like a vigorous electoral challenge.

Lots of seats on city councils are up for election this year. The more incumbents go unchallenged, the fewer ideas crucial to each city’s future will be debated.

Likewise, scores of school board seats are up for grabs this year throughout the county. Few positions have a greater impact on a community’s future. Spots on fire, water, hospital and park district boards seem to go unchallenged more often than not, and sometimes even sit vacant for lack of interest.

If an inner voice has been prodding you to run for office, now’s the time to listen to it. Come on, stir the pot. Don’t let apathy win this year.

For information on filing for office, call the county Auditor’s Office at 425-388-3444 or visit snoco.org/elections.