According to a recent report in the Journal Inquirer, Manchester had the third lowest eligible voter turnout of 16 area towns in the 2013 election. Just 17% of the 18 and over population voted. Only East Hartford and East Windsor did worse (Hartford is in a whole different category!). What this means is that fewer than 9% of Manchester adults determined who our elected officials will be and decided to spend over 10 M $ on Town projects. The turnout will probably be even lower in the Spring on a bigger decision on a school spending bond of over 20 million.
What does this mean for Manchester? Are voters apathetic because they feel they have no control? Democrat Mayor Diana feels the lack of voter turnout is because everyone is happy! Ask the Republicans and you get ?- not sure- I haven’t heard anything from them.
We have some serious decisions coming up regarding our schools, library and our tax burden. This year we had a huge tax increase- over 5%- while our senior social security recipients got only a 1.5% raise. Two or more elementary schools may be on the block for closure as recommended by the SMARTR Commission. The library proposal may be forgotten.
This deep voter apathy (or is it “hapathy?”) is worrisome. Does a low turnout mean those who vote are well informed and those who stay home are low information voters we could do without? Does a low voter turnout create a situation ripe for control by small special interest groups? Frankly I think our democracy would be healthier with a higher participation rate.
With this turnout rate, just under 4000 of 48000 Manchester adults could decide an election. Any group that can rally a few hundred troops could easily sway an election. The Historic Society could force a more expensive school bond decision in order to save the old and outdated Washington School facility. Seniors could decide they have had enough tax hikes and shoot down an improvement bond for the schools. Parents of school age children could force an overly expensive improvement plan. Meanwhile the 40,000 adults who stay at home on election day will pay the price.
At election time the political parties work to get out their base, but what of non registered adults? I know they are totally ignored when candidates knock on doors and send flyers. Can our registrars of voters and political parties get more folks out to register and vote? Do they really want to? Can the various interest groups get more people involved? Or is everyone happy?
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