Where are all the people who voted in the 2008 presidential election? Where are all the organizers who made it their mission to get people registered to vote in that election? Where are all the people who participated in the standing-room-only precinct caucuses?
Why did 87 percent of registered voters in Snohomish County vote in the presidential election and a few months later less than 25 percent vote in the latest primary? Why do people become zealous about a national election and choose to disregard local elections?
Unfortunately, as the Sunday editorial acknowledged, apathy is a human condition and far too widespread. (“Apathy means ceding power.”) What will it take for the same 87 percent or even 100 percent of registered voters to recognize the impact that local elections have on our daily lives and make an effort to become involved in the issues and decisions at the local level?
Local elections have an enormous impact on all of us and as long as the majority of registered voters choose to ignore this fact, they should have no voice to criticize the decisions that are made by elected officials. Mediocrity: “Something that is acceptable, but not very good.” The citizens of Snohomish County deserve better than mediocrity.
Nancy S. Campbell
Mill Creek
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