Shades of Blue: Why Don't People Vote?
Article in the Nogales International

October 19, 2006
Sally Greenleaf, Patagonia, Arizona



I’ve been pondering why it is that so many citizens don’t bother to vote, even in important elections. Is it because of laziness or ignorance or diffidence? Is it the belief that it won’t matter anyway, that one vote won’t make a difference?

It strikes me that if I choose not to vote, I am ceding the right to select my public servants to a whole lot of people I don’t know..

When I go shopping for clothes, I don’t want a total stranger choosing the style or color of my new outfit. Heck, I don’t even want a family member choosing a new dress or pair of shoes for me. How do I know they will fit? Will the color please me? I feel the same way about selecting a governor, representative, supervisor, mayor, sheriff, or dogcatcher! I want to have a say in who is elected; and even if my candidate loses, at least I had my say.

Voting is so easy. The easiest way is to simply make a phone call to the County Recorder’s Office - 375-7990 - and request an early ballot, which will be mailed to your address. You can do this up until October 27. This is a wonderful way to vote; you can take your time and ponder your choices, discuss the issues with others, study the ballot propositions, all in the privacy and comfort of your home. Also, by voting in this way you avoid the hassle of voter ID, standing in line, and the race to get to the polls before closing time. Don’t ask your spouse, aunt, brother or child to call for you; you must make the call yourself. The deadline for returning voted early ballots to the Recorder’s Office is November 3. If you slip up and forget to mail your ballot in time, you can take that ballot to the polls on election day, November 7, and turn it in to the poll workers.

Another way to vote early is to go to the County Recorder’s Office in the County Complex at 2150 N. Congress Dr. any time during office hours (8-5 Mon. through Fri.) and vote there.

You may lack motivation to vote , feeling secure that Santa Cruz County always votes Democratic. That’s still no excuse not to vote. The statewide candidates - Governor Napolitano and Israel Torres (running for Secretary of State), for instance - need all the Democratic votes they can get no matter what part of the state they come from. In addition, the state and federal legislative districts cover areas larger than Santa Cruz County alone, so our votes are significant in those races. Although this is a mid-term election, the issues are extremely important; our presence in Iraq and the escalating violence there, health care insurance for all, improving our educational system, creating a workable solution to the immigration problem. Democrats have a chance to take back the congressional seat in District 8 by electing Gabrielle Giffords, and to maintain our hold on the seat in District 7 by voting for Raul Grijalva, as well as to elect enough Democratic state representatives to give our governor a legislature she can work with in harmony.

Now, if you’ve read this far you have one more very important task to complete after calling 375-7990 to request your early ballot. Do Your Homework!!!!!!! Read up on the candidates and propositions. Educate yourself so you can make knowledgeable choices. If you have access to the internet, go to the candidates’ web sites. Familiarize yourself with the propositions - there are 19 of them, some very important, at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ (click on the link to ballot propositions).

Now you’re ready to vote! Congratulations! See - it wasn’t that hard.