Poor voter turnout problem needs reform

It is stating the obvious to say that elections are decided by those who show up to cast ballots. And as exemplified by the national election of this past November, it is also obvious that elections have consequences, good and bad.

So why is there such a lack of participation in local elections by both voters and candidates? The Daily Herald's recent series examined this issue from the candidate side, looking at factors such as the complicated and arcane nominating procedures for candidates to reach the ballot and the increasing lack of civility in the political arena, whether national, state or local.

From a voter's perspective, it is certainly disheartening to step into the ballot booth knowing that the results of many races are already predetermined, given that the candidates are running unopposed. Is that why so few registered voters take the time to show up, particularly for local elections?

The race for mayor of Aurora, a city with a population of over 200,000, was decided by 4,117 people from among about 31,000 registered voters. Even in Wheaton, where a hotly debated school district bond referendum was on the ballot, fewer than 30 percent of registered voters cast ballots.

It's been said many times before, but it bears repeating, over and over: if you don't bother to cast your ballot, then you have no right to complain if you don't like the consequences that occur after the election dust settles.

We need to reform the nominating process for candidates, work in a bipartisan spirit to establish an air of comity in the election process and to re-establish it in our governments, and encourage an increased level of civic engagement in our citizens. Without this, democracy is just a word.

Joanne Zienty

Wheaton