Low voter turnout in ‘off years’ is bad for democracy (Your Letters)

To the Editor:

When you walk through the grocery store, the doctor’s office, any restaurant, you can assume that 70% of the people in that given room did not vote in 2023.

When 70% of voters don’t turn out in local elections, is democracy functioning properly?

Odd-year elections are a terrible idea. They are known as “off-year” elections, which insinuates that a majority of people don’t realize that there is an election and don’t vote.

In “off-year” elections, candidates, incumbents and challengers alike are at a disadvantage in getting folks out to vote. In addition to educating them about positions and policies, they have to inform them that there is an election to begin with!

Many states have no odd-year elections. Why? Because they have a lower voter turnout.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law to try to fix this problem by pushing many local offices to higher turnout, even-year elections. Who benefits from this politically? Republicans and Democrats and Independents.

Averaging odd- and even-year elections from 2009-2023, there are improvements in turnout for all three parties: Republicans increase turnout by 33%, Democrats increase turnout by 33% and Independents increase turnout by 32%.

Any legislation that seeks to improve engagement and turnout in local elections is good policy.

If you are confident that higher turnout will result in a loss for your candidacy or your party, you may need to find new ways to reach more people who you are not used to contacting. That is good for democracy.

Justin Polly

Nedrow