Voter Apathy: Problem & Cure

Voter Apathy – The Problem

Why do so few people vote? Especially in local elections the turnout is low, which allows 20% – 30% of registered voters decide our future. We typically find that folks become active in politics during campaign season because of short-term need for their attention. On average about 10% call themselves activists who stay in contact with elected officials and comment on their actions. There are reasons for lack of interest and frustration.

Lee Holman said it clearly: Regarding strict enforcement of zoning ordinances, code enforcement and adherence to the adopted land use plan, Holman said, “The land use plan is a State requirement only, not land classification.” As always, Holman spoke the truth. But he also defined the disconnect between what voters believe and how the Board truly operates.
How many times have we attended public meetings, answered questionnaires, voiced opinions and voted for “managed-growth candidates?” How many times have we seen the Board of Commissioners overturn recommendations of their appointed Planning and Zoning Commission? How many times have we seen the BoC return a zoning decision that violates existing surrounding land uses and the adopted land use plan?

The Plan we hire consultants to create, hold meetings to gain taxpayer input, and influence commissioners to adopt is a sham! Having one is required by local government in order to appease the Atlanta Regional Commission, remain in compliance with state law, and to ease the path to receiving grant money. Nowhere in the definition do we find “required adherence to a stable, predictable land use formula.” There is no enforcement besides the six members we elect to the BoC. And they regularly allow financial supporters and political influences to set our land use policy.

Apathy? It is more about frustration and powerlessness. Even when a managed-growth candidate is elected, he quickly learns some rules guiding the “mechanics of Henry County.” Each commissioner must support another’s desires in order to get support for projects in his own district. It is a go-along-to-get-along game. Each commissioner must remain vigilant and provide political cover for the people who financed his campaign. Each commissioner has one vote and violating The Rules will quickly render him an outcast whose reputation and projects will be treated negatively by the board.

Who can you trust? After election few people continue to wear the white hat we see during campaigns. But there are some. After the learning curve and, if Providence allows, a dedicated public servant will stand alone when necessary. But it is rare. In the end we cannot depend on the board to stay the course that we believe is outlined in ordinances and the land use plan. That is why we voters just stay home and gripe about what happens on the BoC.

Voter Apathy - The Cure

Why do so few people vote? It is because most do not really know the candidates or the issues they must face. It is up to us, the voters, to know what we want and who will best fill our needs. After all, we pay taxes and we live here. And we must understand our job is not over on Election Day – responsible government comes from our constant vigilance.

In the current races for open commission seats every candidate has echoed the same major concerns facing the county: Responsible growth; transportation improvements; and infrastructure upgrades. Every candidate says they want to represent the needs and desires of the residents. When we are given generic, simple answers none of them are very appealing.
So we must attend forums and speeches so we can get to know something about the candidates. Either we will keep the incumbents and accept The Rules they govern by, or we can boot them out. Who do we choose? How do we choose?

We have to use our brain just a little. When we consider the incumbent we only have to look at the record to know if we got what we wanted or expected. This is not a personality or beauty contest! Did the sitting commissioner perform as we wanted? Simple enough.

When a candidate speaks we must listen carefully. Not only to what they say, but even closer to hear what they do not say. For example, a statement like “I support commuter rail as an answer to traffic” proves a hidden agenda. There has been too much published about low expected riders, 50-year tax subsidy, and increased taxes. A simple answer may sound ok, but it also tells us what the candidate may be hiding. Specifically, it says who really stands behind this candidate and what policy agenda will come out after the election.

The same thing applies to a comment like “Jason Harper has resolved that [with One Henry]." The answer comes directly from the Leland Maddox/Jason Harper playbook. It reveals lack of understanding about enforcing intergovernmental agreements. And it shows ignorance that One Henry has been rejected by two of our four cities. This candidate looked sincere before resorting to a prepared statement that relied on false political hype.

A closer look at who is promoting a candidate is very important. We can easily find ties to old, failed regimes. We easily see attempts to regain past glory. Be warned that most well financed candidates truly represent the same people who gave us crowded schools, traffic congestion, high taxes and no real representation on the BoC.

You have the answers. You just have to pay attention. Remember elections are not about personality and beauty and fancy words. It is about ensuring we get responsible government.