Educated Voting

While many account this election as being a record breaking turnout for new, young voters as well as a monumental change in our history reflecting the first African-American elected President, you wouldn’t know it in Hays County. In an article titled Let there be Change, in The Eagle, author Mary Elizabeth Davis shows us that not only did less voters turn out than past years, many were not completely concerned with who was on the ballot.

Most would agree that straight party ticket voting is the easy way out but it seems that most in Hays County felt that was good enough for them. With only sixty one percent of the county’s registered voters turning out, about 98.5 percent of them voted straight party, almost equally split between Republican and Democrat and about 1.43 percent voting Libertarian. Even with many supporters of Obama sitting outside of the voting location with signs held high, their efforts had little effect with McCain winning the majority of votes.

While this article does depict most of the important information regarding the resident’s elections in Hays County, I felt that a core issue was not addressed. There were two other important issues on the ballot, a road bond to fix our local highways to increase road safety and a bid by the sheriff’s deputies for their right to proper representation. I was delighted to see that both were passed but judging by the fact that such little effort was put into researching our local officials shown by the enormous number of straight party ticket voting, it makes me wonder if there will be some conflict when they begin to build the new highway or when the deputies have an issue. Such voting patterns are a clear reflection that many were very unaware of all of the factors involved on both issues and the ultimate costs of each. Again, I think the safety of the new highway is well worth the cost as well as helping our deputies have their voice heard when there is issues with their rate of pay but I worry that when residents get the bill, some of the same voters who had no clue while voting, will be the first on the picket line!

It amazes me every four years as to how many people will lose friends over political debate yet take no effort in researching the topics at hand. Hays County has shown that its residents have an old habit that is going to be hard to break. While those elected this year are primarily those that I am happy to have represent me as a resident, I do worry about the future elections and am strongly considering adding more to my busy schedule – getting involved in my local politics.

Moral to the story: Be an informed voter!