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T O P I C     R E V I E W vrs May 2, 1998 four contested races, 1673 voters Sep 12, 1998 $115 million AISD bond, 2210 voters May 1, 1999 four contested races, 1364 voters Jun 12, 1999 city bond proposal, 1230 voters May 6, 2000 four contested races, 2097 voters May 5, 2001 two contested races, 1028 voters (a whopping 3.9% of those registered) These are not national elections. They are local elections for the people who set the direction for our city and schools. These folks hire the city manager and the superintendent. (Both of whom I think are doing a great job, by the way - this isn't a complaint in that direction at all.) But, still, these are the elections that most immediately impact our daily lives. Collin County in general and Allen in particular turns out 85-90% of its voters for national elections. So, I'm curious, why do people stay home in droves for local elections? bullseye I would say my main reason is the lack of knowledge I have for the candidates. I can't vote for someone I know nothing about. This is my honest reason. jenniferd Very true, I agree with bullseye. Also, I had no idea there was even an election or ability to vote on the topics that were posted previously. By the time I even knew it was too late for me to even consider taking off work and going to do so - let alone doing research on the topics. SPENN vrs I ask myself that question all the time. I not only vote but I always seek as much information as possible on candidates prior to the election. I often give to local candidates and request a sign to put in my yard when I make a decision on who to vote for. deborah sheer lack of knowledge... Voting is a right we have earned, to if nothing else, speak our mind. VOTE!!!! Nando I imagine if they ever started allowing registered voters to vote online, it would pick up trememdously. I, myself, would put more effort into it. jenniferd I agree about online voting, that would certainly help out a great deal. Because I know that spending 10-12 hours at work, 1.5-2 hours just in driving everyday and then having to take care of the household work and such really does not make time for other things. I did vote in the presidential election this year and it was a freak accident that I was able to do so. The only problem with online voting is security issues. On the web nothing is hacker proof if an individual REALLY wants to get in it. Allenite This is an issue that I'm very passionate about, so this will run long. There are many reasons why I vote. 1. When my grandmother was born, her mother wasn't allowed to vote. 2. When South Africa ended apartheid, allowing blacks to vote, voters were lined up outside the polling place three days prior to voting day. 3. If I don't vote, I can't make a valid complaint about the merits of any political decision. 4. Politicians KNOW who votes and who doesn't. Your voting booth attendance is public information. 5. Thousands of men, women, and children died in battles so that I can vote. I owe them. I take that debt very seriously. 6. I believe that a higher power directs and wants the best for our country. It is my duty to be a part of that calling. 7. I love my freedoms. Evil men rule when good men do nothing. 8. As a country & western song says: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Leave it to C&W; to come up with a line like that! For those of you who don't vote, I remind you that you are allowing others, people that you probably don't even know, to make the decisions. I've seen alot of political interest in the topics of this website, such as the animal shelter, zoning issues, schools, etc. Most candidates have websites now, so gathering knowledge about the issues or candidates is not as difficult as it once was. jenniferd I am not saying that I do not vote simply because I do not feel like it. I did not know about the election that vrs pointed out until I read it on this message board. I read DallasNews and AllenAmerican online whenever I get a chance - I never saw anything regarding this. I have visited the city of Allen website numerous times and I have yet to see any information regarding these issues. I have been living in Allen for about 3 months now and not once since I have been here have I seen or heard anything pertaining to an election or vote. I could spend hours searching on government websites, however, by then I would be jobless in this crappy job market we are in and I would be living in a homeless shelter. Where do we go as residents to be registered to vote? The last time I was registered is when I moved to Texas 3 years ago, but that was in Dallas county. Why don't they hold voting on weekends? I leave at 6:30am and get home by 8:00pm if I am lucky. I think I spend more quality time with my co-workers then my husband. At least I get the weekends off to clean house, grocery shop, and general caring for the home. My husband has to carry a god awful pager that goes off every saturday and sunday. The question was "why do people stay home in droves for local elections". I am just pointing out that not ALL of us are at home. Some of us are making a living and keeping our jobs. My husband and I both work in the same industry - if we both lose our jobs we are screwed. Believe me, employers are taking high advantage of this market when it comes to their employees. SPENN Early voting does include weekends in some elections. I voted last week because my schedule this week was very busy. Articles were in the Dallas Morning News regarding this election. The League of Women Voters always has info on upcoming elections. Several positions will be open in the local elections in May 2002. I have already been active in finding out who will be up for reelection and am deciding how happy I have been with their performance. In some cases I hope they have challengers! Woody I personally believe there are many contributing factors to voter apathy, particularly in local elections. Elected officials cannot please all the people all the time. I've considered tossing my hat into the ring a couple of times, but then it dawns on me, why would I want a thankless job? There's always going to be someone not happy, regardless of how our city council votes. But I think overall, the majority of citizens, for the most part, are satisfied with the way our city is being managed. If the Dallas city council is used as a comparison, there is no comparison. It seems like there's always major controversy and dissagreement in their meetings and no sense of unification for the good of the citizens of Dallas. We seem to be extremely fortunate we don't have that to deal with where our council is concerned. Next, at the rate Allen is growing, there are so many new citizens who are just trying to adjust to living in a new area, get involved in school activities because of their children and find the best way to deal with traffic to and from work. They haven't had the chance to become familiar with local government and those who manage the city. I just have the feeling if a majority of citizens where not satisfied generally with our local government, there would be much more interest given to elections, and particular, with candidates. The recent election, with the 18 or so state related propositions, really didn't have anything I considered controversal, but I voted anyway. There were a couple of county bond proposals, one dealing with the building of a youth camp in N.E.Collin county I was interested in seeing passed. I saw numerous articles in the Dallas Morning News about the state proposals and in the Allen American about the county bond proposals. I think so many people are choosing to make Allen their home and raise their families because they do their homework and hear it's a pretty good place to live. vrs It was not my intent to make anyone defensive with this post. I am truly seeking information on how we can improve our voter turnout in Allen. Allen holds it City Council and School Board elections on the first Saturday in May. Everyone can mark their calendars now 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Allen City Hall. Early voting usually goes on for about two weeks before the actual election date. There is generally one Saturday of voting during that time. One can also vote by mail, which I did for a while when I was living in Alaska, but that's a lot more trouble then making one of the extended voting days. Once a person starts voting, it is easier to stay informed. You see, there are about (I'm guessing here, confident that richardb will correct this) 20,000 households in Allen. The voter rolls are public record. (Not HOW you voted, but THAT you voted.) There are about 1200 people who live in 800 households who vote in nearly every election. These are the "power voters." Sooooo, if I am running for office on a limited budget, why would I do a direct mailing of my campaign info to 20,000 households when I could send out 800 letters with the same net effect on election day? So, if you begin voting, better information will start arriving in your mailbox automatically and you know without making an effort that something is coming up. The other alternative is to read print media (Allen American or Dallas Morning New - Plano Section). Major market TV and radio don't report these elections very well (at all) and are beyond the budget of local officials running for election. I know this post is already long, but you need to know that a new State Representative District has been formed based on the last census that includes Allen, Frisco, and McKinney. It is crucial to Allen that we be capably represented in Austin. Allen is landlocked. McKinney and Frisco eventually will both dwarf us in population. We need to become a community of "voters who vote" in order to carry the political clout we need in Austin. A new seat is an incredible opportunity. There are several candidates already declared for this wide open race. The primary is in March. So, let me rephrase my question. What would help you vote? Jennifer, I sense, is overwhelmed enough that little can be done to help her out in this. Bullseye, where do you get information? What information delivery method would help you out? SPENN I feel voter apathy is the worst reason for not voting. Think of all the people who have died in wars to protect our right to vote! Woody, I totally agree that it is a thankless job and there will always be bickering. But there are many eligible voters out there that can rise above it and make good decisions. I can't say that I have agreed with every vote our city council members or school board members have made but if I feel they made their decision after careful consideration for the good of Allen, then I feel they did a good job and would consider voting for them again. On the other hand, if votes are made only on the basis of political strategy, I might not vote for that person. vrs is a perfect example for me. I did not agree with her vote on early school start, but I think she is brilliant, carefully assesses all board decisions and I'll have her sign in my yard as soon as they are available. Woody, if you have thought about running I would encourage you to do that. There are those of us out there that would appreciate you just like we do vrs and richard. bullseye vrs: I really haven't gotten actively involved in Allen yet. I am a very new resident & I plan to become more knowledgeable very soon. Maybe ad campaignes sent to new residents? I don't know much about Allen yet, as I am sure other new residents feel the same as I do. Where do you go to read up on a canididate? I would be willing to help my community in any way possible if I have the right resources. Thanks vrs jenniferd I think it would be helpful to get some sort of package when you move in to the area that would tell you where to register, voting schedules, where the information about candidates or topics can be found (preferably on the internet), etc. etc. I think that would be a great help in getting newbies like me and others more involved in the community. The ability to vote on a weekend is a great thing! I was not even aware of this. I am most certainly concerned of what goes on in Allen, one reason being I have to keep convincing my husband that the drive from here to Irving for both of us is worth it! One idea, perhaps the City of Allen website could start some sort of mailing list - people who sign up can get up to date information regarding the city, things that are going on, etc. etc. I know I would love to get something like that - every little bit helps. Also, sorry for sounding so crabby earlier, I was feeling awfully tired. On to a new day :-). Gary Why I didn't vote. My plan was to vote on Tuesday and not vote early. I went to City Hall (my early polling location) to vote but was told (and remembered) that my correct polling place is in Plano. My mistake. I then decided to go home and take my daughter with me (she's 7 but enjoys going to vote.) After arriving home I learned my daughter had an ear infection. My new priority was to get medical attention for my girl. That activity was complete around 10pm. Had I felt strongly about the outcome of this election I would have voted early, thus insuring that I would be able to vote. [This message has been edited by Gary (edited November 08, 2001).] vrs SPENN - aw shucks, (toe scuff) you make me blush I'm not sure who you are, but after the calendar comment I think I can guess. Never in a million years would I describe the job as "thankless." Generally exhausting and occasionally frustrating and extremely challenging, maybe, but NEVER unrewarding. SPENN vrs: I wasn't part of that group that wanted a later date, but I did attend school board meetings about the subject. I know you from Scouts!