On the first Tuesday of every November, citizens across the country are asked to visit their local polling place and cast their ballot in the time old tradition passed down from our founding fathers. Yet year in and year out nearly half of the country doesn’t give two rats asses to take fifteen minutes out of their day to do this simple task. This past Tuesday, only 16.76 percent of all San Franciscans showed up. Sure, it was a small ballot with no big names or sexy ballot measures, but 16 percent?! No one cares if the city renames Candlestick? Why doesn’t anyone give a damn that the budget will now be written every two years; they don’t know how to write it and get it right for a twelve month period so I’m guessing this is a clever way to push off that responsibility for 23 months.
This isn’t just for local elections, when there are huge issues or offices on the line, a large chunk of the population still finds a way to sit at home and stick their heads in the sand. Last year, which will be looked upon as a watershed moment in our countries history, 64 percent of the population voted. That means that 36 percent of eligible US citizens either made a choice not to show up, or couldn’t find the time. There is never going to be 100 percent turnout, not even when 100 percent registers, but 64 percent is unacceptable.
What does it say about us as a society that we are willing to wage war in the name of democracy and government accountability yet we don’t care enough to fully realize this belief at home?
The only solution is to turn Election Day into a federal holiday, affording those who work long hours day in and day out the luxury of exercising their natural born right as citizens. There would be long lines, anxious anticipation for exit polls, a sea of little red stickers parading down every street, people would pay attention to the issues and everyone would be accountable. The only problem with that is that it would be put on a ballot measure and nobody would show up.
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