Get Out and Vote Tomorrow!
By Marc Smith
November 2, 2009 10:30am
Numerous important elections are taking place tomorrow across the country. Key Governor races in Virginia and New Jersey allow voters to both choose a new state leader and express a view on the success of the current Obama administration. Regardless of your political views, I encourage you to get out and exercise your right to influence government through your vote.
Voter turnout is sadly low in non-Presidential year federal elections. Since 1960, turnout averages around 55% of voting-aged people in Presidential election years, but just under 40% in non-Presidential years. According to Professor Michael McDonald at George Mason, looking at the voting age population understates true voter turnout and instead argues for what he calls voting-eligible population. His method seems to generally show voter turnout 2-3 percentage points higher than under the voting-age method.
Under either method, my thoughts are too few people take the issue of voting seriously. We all have a responsibility to make this country a better place and voting is one way to impact policy at your local, state and federal level. Many important issues will be decided by the individuals elected tomorrow and as we face a rather critical time in our history, we owe it to ourselves to take an active part if shaping the future direction of our nation.
Below is a list of each states election website, with information about who/what is on the ballet tomorrow. Please go to the polls and take part in democracy in action!