Voter Turnout Declining

This is the ninth in a series of articles about elections in Washington State by San Juan County Auditor F. Milene Henley. The County Auditor administers elections and voter registration in the County.

The Top Two Primary

Milene Henley – Contributed photo

San Juan County is always one of the highest voter-turnout counties in the State. In fact, I have a friendly rivalry with other county auditors to see which county will have the highest turnout, and I often win. In the August primary, San Juan County reported a 52% turnout, 3.5% higher than the next highest county. Statewide turnout was just under 35%.

I’d like to take credit for the turnout, but the truth is, a lot of it has to do with demographics. San Juan County is among the oldest, whitest, wealthiest and most educated counties in the State. Age, race, income, and education are all positively correlated with voter turnout. That is, older, whiter, wealthier, more educated people vote more than younger, poorer, less white, less educated people.

Yet a disturbing trend is emerging in recent election data, locally as well as state- and nation-wide: voter turnout is going down.

As the graph indicates, from 2008 through 2016, voter turnout in San Juan County has trended downward. That’s true in every type of election, but is most pronounced in the November (“general”) elections – the elections that determine most of our leaders and many of our most important measures.

Declining voter turnout is a hot topic nationwide. Various solutions have been proposed, including removing barriers to voting. Washington’s vote-by-mail system has removed many barriers, such as the problems of transportation, long lines, and having only a single day on which to vote. Our “motor voter” system, which enables drivers to register to vote and to update their addresses when they get or renew a driver’s license, as well as our online voter registration system (one of the first in the nation), have removed many barriers to registration. Accessible voting machines and online accessible ballots have removed still more barriers.

In this state, and this county, barriers to voting are insignificant. Yet voter turnout continues to fall.

Why don’t people vote? Apathy is one reason. People are busy. Truly busy. In the press of everyday life, political rhetoric about issues not obviously relevant to everyday life seems distant, unimportant. Another reason people don’t vote is the “none of the above” problem – that is, not liking any of the candidates (a big issue this year). Yet another is the oft-cited belief that one vote doesn’t count.

That last is a self-fulfilling prophesy. It is certain that the vote which is not cast, does not count.

On the positive side, studies have repeatedly shown that voting is a gradually acquired habit. People who do vote get in the habit of voting, and are far more likely to vote in the next election.

There’s a really important election coming up in November. And it’s not just about President and Vice President. The Washington State Governor and other statewide positions will be elected. Federal Congressional representatives, State legislators and local Council members are up for election. State and local measures – some of which touch on issues very important to everyday life – will be on the ballot.

So if voting’s not already a habit for you, start now. If you’re not registered to vote, do so soon. If you think you are registered to vote, but you don’t remember receiving a ballot in the mail recently, call the Elections Office (360-378-3357) and verify that we have the correct address for you.

If voting’s already a habit for you, good for you. Now share the wealth. Get a friend to vote. Guide him or her through the registration process. Help your friend find information about the candidates and issues on the ballot. Be a mentor, and create a new voter.

Everybody will be affected by the outcome of this election. Only those who vote will have a say in it.

So vote, already. You’ll help me get bragging rights for voter turnout. And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that, whether your candidate won or lost, you did your part.

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