Voter turnout is never 100 percent, unfortunately. So, some of you aren't voting.
In Dearborn's last November election, the gubernatorial one that made Rick Snyder governor of Michigan, there was a 43 percent voter turnout. And in 2008 with the election of Barack Obama, turnout was closer to 75 percent.
However, city elections generally bring in far less, with 2009's turnout coming in around 30 percent.
Voter turnout tomorrow, Election Day, may not hit 75 percent, or even 30 percent. In fact, voter turnout is expected to be so low that the city made the decision last month to consolidate several precincts.
The big question is: Why?
For you non-voters out there: Why don't you vote?
And...
If I'm one of those non-voters, what would you tell me to get me to vote?
Planning to vote? Check out our Dearborn Patch Election Guide, with all the information you could possibly want about tomorrow's ballot issues and candidates, as well as voting locations.
Ali
4:29 pm on Monday, November 7, 2011
This poll will be somewhat misleading. Chances are those who are interested enough in keeping up to date with the city and checking out this site will likely be the only ones voting.
Jessica Carreras
4:33 pm on Monday, November 7, 2011
That may be true - but what we really want to do is talk about the reasons why Dearborn residents vote (or don't). So if you vote, but maybe know someone close to you who doesn't, why don't they?
Frank Lee
6:22 pm on Monday, November 7, 2011
I vote, but one thIng Is for sure, if it could change anything it would be illegal
Lee Jacobsen
7:06 pm on Monday, November 7, 2011
I vote. Some of my friends would vote if they could find those acorn nuts who gave them rides and lunch money the last time. Some even got dinner.
Seriously, most who don't vote figure that one vote does not matter that much. One drop of rain is no big deal either, but lots of them together can bring change. Since some folk don't want to vote, perhaps they could sell their proxy to others who would put that vote to good use? That way , both are winners. One gets money and gets rid of the guilt of not voting, the other can use the proxy to promote a cause.
Another way to get more voters is to eliminate 'Labor Day' weekend and make it 'Voter Day' weekend instead. We all know that Labor Day is a thing of the past anyway, just an excuse to have a cookout, so why not put the holiday to good use and increase the vote? That way, everyone would have the day off to vote, so no excuses. We could watch the results while eating BBQ and hot dogs.
Of course, the easiest way to increase the vote is to make it easier and more convenient to cast your ballot. Right now, on a Tuesday, it is tough to do after work, or around working hours. Vote via the internet. Google your favorite candidates , cast your vote on their website, and I am sure, since all politicians are honest, upright folk, that they will tally your vote, along with others, and send the results to the appropriate circular file election committee.
If you don't know the issues, don't vote..
Elizabeth
7:10 pm on Monday, November 7, 2011
O'Reilly and the arrogant council are no different than the current adminstration. They continue to ask for more funding and spend it foolishly. The money they do spend does not go into making the City a more desirable place to live. They have successfully forced many long-time residets to move out only to welcome people that contribute little to the well-being of the City. How can the city raise tax revenue when this Mayor and Coucil continue to support the very people who trash our landscape, our environment, traditions, and neighborhoods. Who in their right minds would want to buy a house in a disasterous situation as Dearborn now faces? VOTE NO!!! VOTE NO!!! on any new taxes.
marooned in Dbn
8:01 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
As I said in another comment place in this website, my location at 7 am was at McDonald School. My vote on the 3 proposals was NO, NO, and NO. If those of us here choose NOT to vote....and still get an upset stomach tomorrow morning when the fools and tools and syncophants outnumber us with YES votes, and stupidly choose to INCREASE their TAXES...do not cry in the paper about how much MORE they will PAY out of their bank account to support all this.
Jessica Carreras
8:58 pm on Monday, November 7, 2011
Interestingly enough, we heard at tonight's city council meeting that 5 percent of registered voters have already voted through absentee ballots. That's pretty high!
Mary Jo Durivage
7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Good idea for a poll, Jessica. Some of your readers may want to visit the website of League of Women Voters Dearborn-Dearborn Heights. "Convenient voting" is an issue currently which would include something called "No reason absentee voting". If readers think that this is a good idea, they should contact their state legislators and urge them to suupport this issue.