The Norman Transcript

Opinion

July 18, 2009

Weak voter turnout shameful for county

Some county voters have tried to brush off Tuesday's dismal primary election turnout as a lack of contested races.

Don't tell that to the candidates who spent the last six weeks knocking on doors in triple-digit heat, begging for campaign donations, trying to engage voters and logging hundreds of miles on their cars and trucks.

Cleveland County voters Tuesday fell to a dismal low of 16.75 percent compared to the statewide 18 percent average. Neighboring McClain County voters did even worse, coming in at less than 15 percent.

Late last week, Cleveland County's election secretary Paula Roberts was hoping for 25 to 30 percent turnout. She didn't get nearly that.

Democrats had a primary in the sheriff's race and the U.S. Senate contest but didn't field candidates for county clerk or county commissioner. Republicans had a six-man sheriff's primary and didn't field a candidate for court clerk.

The weak turnout reminds us of the photographs we see of voters waiting in lines for hours and sometimes days to cast ballots in new democracies. You can't blame the heat, lack of interest or even distraction from the Olympics. It's simple laziness. Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Opinion
  • Getting the giggle back

    A couple of months ago I realized something. I’d lost my giggle. I’m not sure where it went. I usually always manage to keep that

    March 20, 2010

  • Basketball fever in Oklahoma

    Oklahoma has always been known for its football program. But basketball is getting to be a close second. The NCAA men’s teams and their fans are filling hotel rooms and packing restaurants in Oklahoma City.

    March 20, 2010

  • Cheap mortgage rates won’t be here forever

    Mortgage rates below 5 percent won’t likely last much longer. The Federal Reserve has been keeping them artificially low for several months by buying up mortgage securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

    March 20, 2010

  • It’s easier to be green

    Oklahoma’s ranking as a green state got a nice boost Wednesday, and it had nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

    March 19, 2010

  • Oklahomans hit harder by gasoline price hikes

    A steady price increase at the gasoline pumps is painful for any driver. But the cost has been steadily increasing in recent weeks and is harder on Oklahomans, a new report said.

    March 19, 2010

  • From dreams they come

    One can learn a lot from his dreams. Like how screwed up his mind must work while his subconscious is in control.

    March 19, 2010

  • Unemployment up while Census jobs go unfilled

    Our mailboxes were stuffed with Census forms this week as the government begins its nationwide headcount. Officials ask that the fo

    March 18, 2010

  • Oh, those joking freshmen

    State Rep. Lewis Moore, a Republican lawmaker from Arcadia, thought it would be funny to swap the portraits of President Barack Obama and Gov. Brad Henry that hang in the House chamber.

    March 18, 2010

  • Congratulations, Selmon family

    Every year, we await the announcement of Norman’s ’89er Day Parade Marshal. It’s a top-secret announcement that surprises us every

    March 17, 2010

  • Lawmakers’ ploy just an election year stunt

    The Senate’s, and soon to be House’s, passage of SB 1328 to remove the state’s tax on groceries is nothing short of an election-year parlor trick to appeal to voters and needs to be killed.

    March 17, 2010

The Business Marquee

Community Calendar

Loading…
Events by eviesays.com