Government By Minority
We do not have government by the majority; rather; we have government by the majority who participate. -Thomas JeffersonNow is the time to congratulate all the people elected to public office in Henry County. Among the most hotly contested races was for Chairman of the county commission. Six people qualified and waged diligent campaigns.
Congratulations to Elizabeth "BJ" Mathis and Fred Auletta as the top vote-getters. They will face each other in a runoff election in three weeks.
Henry County has 103,070 registered voters. In the July 15 Primary only 20,870 votes were cast in all races. Not bad for a summer vote - about 20% turnout. Earlier in the day it was thought only 10% would vote.
In the race for Chairman only 14,387 votes were cast. That is 14% of registered voters! This number reflects targeted voting, meaning voters came out to vote for specific candidates but did not cast votes in other races. Some stayed home, perhaps thinking so-and-so was in the lead and would surely win regardless of their vote. Some people simply don't inconvenience themselves by voting.
BJ Mathis got 5,581 votes to Fred Auletta's 3,945. Together they garnered 9,526 votes or 66% of all votes cast in that race. In the larger scheme of Henry voting, Mathis earned only 5% of all registered voters, while Auletta earned 4%.
The remaining four contenders (Mobley 1651, Joyner 1435, Eddy 970 and Tanner 805) earned a total of 4,861 votes in the Chairman's race. One-third of the the majority who participated did not want either of the candidates who made it to the runoff! This is how the numbers work when six contenders enter the same race.
To many of us who consider the privilege of voting a near-sacred duty, a low turnout of 14% is shameful. Even worse is the thought that 5% of Henry's voters may determine our next Chairman. We citizens had a wide field from which to chose, and we are thankful for the efforts and willingness of these people to become candidates.
Congratulations to Mathis and Auletta. The next three weeks will be interesting.
Comments
That's okay. It means my vote means more.
If you're not interested in how your county is run, then you should stay home.
Posted by: jasonfightscrime | July 16, 2008 08:37 AM
jasonfightscrime, I am still an advocate of a citizenship test to qualify as a voter.
Since voting 'is free' too many people treat it like it has no value.
With six contenders the vote split was bound to work out as it did. And everyone surely believes their candidate was best qualified.
If more people knew the specifics of the jobs we elect people to fulfill, and participated, the numbers could better reflect commitment to a well run, efficient government.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | July 16, 2008 08:55 AM
Larry we will have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks and from the looks of it we can unite the candadites that so vigorously campaigned for a new direction and honesty in government then I believe Fred will be able to chair the commission.
My only fear now is all the deal making that may transpire between now and then. All we can do is hold their feet to the fire and see who is real and who was in fact playing politics.
Money and connections definately spoke during this cycle.
Don Henderson
Posted by: Don | July 16, 2008 09:11 AM
Coalitions and deals will be made.
Even before the votes were counted people were talking about opposing Mathis in a runoff.
Auletta will surely seek out help from other candidates and their supporters.
Mathis will surely keep the fires burning under her loyal supporters.
The object of the runoff game is not about endorsements or money.
The winner must do only one thing: get their people to the polls.
Posted by: Observer | July 16, 2008 09:32 AM
I voted yesterday. When I went to the polls (during my lunch break), only one other person was there.
Government is a rich man's game. People with money continuously win elections. Once in power, politicians can use their power to build coalitions to win them election time after time. That is the story of American democracy. Voter turnout will continue at its lame pace. I will vote in the runoff. I am sure that I will be one of the 10% that votes.
Posted by: Rick | July 16, 2008 09:38 AM
We should have voting on Saturday and a national voting holiday (only for the November elections).
Posted by: Joshua Patterson | July 16, 2008 09:58 AM
I see nothing wrong with politicians "building coalitions" and "making deals," even if, God forbid, it takes money to do so. That is indeed the story of American democracy. If we had more American democracy and less government oversight in the form of campaign finance "reform," this would be an even better country.
I try to avoid voting in elections in which I know nothing about the candidates. Yesterday, I voted in the most of the races. I was able to learn about local candidates because of web sites like this one, which provide a valuable service for anyone who cares. But if you don't care, then yes, you probably should stay home.
Posted by: Robbie | July 16, 2008 10:32 AM
Wow... can you say APATHY.
The low turnout makes anything possible. It looks like many of the early polls were dead on with Mathis in the lead and a large group of undecided voters. In the end the undecided folks stayed home.
I have tremendous respect for anyone who puts their name on the ballot and for their volunteers, supporters and campaign staff who stick with their guy no matter what. Fierce supporters and staff who do it for the love of the game and not their own personal agenda is something to be admired.
For those who want politicians to pander to your every whim and waffle back in forth, you need to find a new hobby.
My hat is off to the Auletta, Eddy, Joyner, Mathis, Mobley, and Tanner teams. Job well done. To the winner, good luck trying times are ahead.
Posted by: Publius V. | July 16, 2008 11:32 AM
"I have tremendous respect for anyone who puts their name on the ballot and for their volunteers, supporters, and campaign staff...who do it for the love of the gane...not their own personal agenda is...to be admired."
Publius--I could not have said it better. I have been one of those sign waving, door knocking, kissing babies supporter for 18 years now. I can honestly say that this year the nastiness reached an all time record. Just this weekend, I was holding a sign for a candidate--and some of his opponent's supporters felt it necessary to use obscene hand gestures to make whatever point they were trying to make. GET REAL, PEOPLE!
Sign stealing has become the norm, not the exception--and, again, there appears to be continuing selective enforcement of sign ordinances by county and city officials.
I am utterly disappointed with the behavior of those supporters who stooped to such low levels. I do not understand their "logic" in that the taking of a sign, or being rude and obnoxious to others will help their candidate win.
I once thought Henry County supporters were above such immature behavior, and most do continue to work on with integrity, respect, and a sense of duty; however, I feel such deep sadness today even though