Thus far, the southern Utah elections of 2015 have demonstrated that a limited few hold political power over the masses. However, the political power was voluntarily relinquished, resulting in the strengthened voice and will of the small percentage of people having control over the elections. All they had to do to secure the power was show up to vote.
Conversations ripe with complaint about not being represented or disagreement with policy takes place everyday. Yet voter turnout for the primaries in southern Utah elections were dismal. St. George had a 9.2 percent voter turnout. Hurricane’s turnout was 9.3 percent, and Washington saw a 13.3 percent turnout to vote in the primaries. Virgin reported a 54 percent turnout. While far higher in comparison to other southern Utah election voter turnouts, this is still just over half of the town’s population determining the outcome of who remains in the race to represent the residents. Cedar City did not hold a primary, and all six of the candidates will vie for the three open council seats.
The network news channels are filled with speculation and constant discussion of the presidential campaign. Social media is brimming with heated debate of who will make the best next president: a campaign filled with a barrage of candidates who will not make it to convention, a race that will not even be voted on for more than a year, and a position that can arguably holds more title than it does direct implications on the daily lives of citizens.
In a presidential race, the electoral college can offer the impression that a single vote does not carry much weight. However, in local elections, each vote can have a significant influence in election results. This was demonstrated in several of the races in the southern Utah elections. For instance, in Enoch, only 15 votes separated the final position between the candidates moving forward. In Hurricane, it was only five votes. Virgin saw a one-vote difference.
Low voter turnout for the southern Utah elections suggests a disengagement in the political concern within the community. While many will offer their complaints about the decisions of policymakers, there appears to be an apathy towards the political process. Given the opportunity to choose those who will represent them, many did not take the time to voice their opinions where it really counts: in the ballot box.
The general elections take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Based on voter turnout for the primaries in the southern Utah elections, it could be a small minority allowed to make the decision for the majority. Less than 10 percent may get to make the call on representation for the remaining 90 percent. Your vote may hold far more sway in the decision of those making policies that affect your daily life.
For those interested in voting, there is a lot of information that can be gathered ahead of time in order to enter the ballot booth as an informed voter. The State of Utah offers information about deadlines, process, voting locations, and candidates. In addition, once you find your sample ballot, there is candidate information available. County websites are great for locating additional information. Washington County, Iron County, and Kane County each offer specific information regarding their places in the southern Utah election cycle. Each city also offers voter information on its website. Finally, most candidates have an online presence where his or her candidacy is presented. A little investment of time is required to seek the information, but it is all available to those that wish to have a voice in the political process.
A robust voter turnout is crucial to maintaining a vibrant and healthy democracy. Your vote truly does count. The Independent encourages you to get out and make your voice heard through the ballot box. Cast your vote!
The following list is a sampling of the cities in the southern Utah elections and the candidates running.
St. George City Council
Bette Arial
Ed Baca
Craig Hammer
Jimmie Hughes
Greg McArthur
Bryan Thiriot
Washington City Council
Bradford Allen
Jean Arbuckle
Troy Belliston
Kolene Granger
Bill Hudson
Jeff Turek
Hurricane City Council
Ginger Hall
Tony Hoyt
Pam Humphries
Jason Smith
Cheryl Reeve
Kevin Thomas
Virgin City Council
Danyale Blackmore
Lyman Everett
Daniel Snyder
Matthew Spendlove
Rockville City Council
Van Bell
Mark Hartless
Megan Honer-Orton
Springdale City Council
Mike Altucker
Mark Chambers
Lisa Zumpft
Cedar City Council
John Black
Paul Cozzens
Craig Isom
Kip Hansen
Terri Hartley
Enoch City Mayoral
Geoffrey Chestnut
Worth Grimshaw
Enoch City Council
Wayne Grimshaw
David Harris
Debra Ley
David Owens
Shawn Stoor
Brent Taylor
Kanab City Council
Michael East
Allen Gilberg
Patty Hegwood
John Jacob
Joe Wright
Jeff Yates
“In a presidential race, the electoral college can offer the impression that a single vote does not carry much weight.”
With the current statewide winner-take-all law for awarding Electoral Votes, Utah, and 80% of the states don’t carry much weight. 38 states have been taken for granted because they reliably vote R or D in presidential elections.
The minority party voters in presidential elections in each state don’t matter to their candidate.
And now votes, beyond the one needed to get the most votes in the state, for winning in a state, are wasted and don’t matter to candidates.
Utah (5 electoral votes) alone generated a margin of 385,000 “wasted” votes for Bush in 2004.
Oklahoma (7 electoral votes) alone generated a margin of 455,000 “wasted” votes for Bush in 2004 — larger than the margin generated by the 9th and 10th largest states, namely New Jersey and North Carolina (each with 15 electoral votes).
8 small western states, with less than a third of California’s population, provided Bush with a bigger margin (1,283,076) than California provided Kerry (1,235,659).
A survey of Utah voters showed 70% overall support for the idea that the President of the United States should be the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states.
The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the country.
Every vote, everywhere, would be politically relevant and equal in every presidential election. No more distorting and divisive red and blue state maps of pre-determined outcomes. There would no longer be a handful of ‘battleground’ states where voters and policies are more important than those of the voters in 80%+ of the states, like Utah, that have just been ‘spectators’ and ignored after the conventions.
National Popular Vote would give a voice to the minority party voters in presidential elections in each state.
All votes would matter to all the candidates.
The National Popular Vote bill would take effect when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes—270 of 538.
All of the presidential electors from the enacting states will be supporters of the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC)—thereby guaranteeing that candidate with an Electoral College majority.
The bill has passed 33 state legislative chambers in 22 rural, small, medium, large, red, blue, and purple states with 250 electoral votes. The bill has been enacted by 11 jurisdictions with 165 electoral votes – 61% of the 270 necessary to go into effect.
NationalPopularVote