This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

GOTV

Tomorrow is Primary Election Day here in Waltham.  And it is really, really troubling me that I know already how low the turnout will be.

"It's a PRIMARY!", you say.  "We vote in November!", you say.  "It's only to narrow the seven candidates down to six who will run in November!", you point out.

All valid points.

I remember watching the first democratic election in South Africa in 1994, when Nelson Mandela was elected president and Apartheid was finally finished in that country.  I watched with tears in my eyes as various tribesmen (whom I am embarrassed to say I cannot name) walked miles and miles to cast a vote for the first time in their lives.  I had the same reaction most recently when the people of Iraq showed off their ink-stained fingers after the first democratic election in that nation after the depose of Saddam Hussein.  

Nascent democracy gives me chills.

The lack of voter interest in the United States frustrates and confounds me.  Last week, a minority was able to force the recall of two democratically elected representatives in the state of Colorado because NO ONE ELSE VOTED.  That miscarriage of democracy is appalling and should concern anyone who calls himself or herself a citizen of the USA.  Where is all of the patriotism around this most essential of democratic freedoms?  Boston isn't very strong unless more than half the population votes.  The tributes to 9-11 mean nothing without representation.  

Am I coming on too strong?

I know: you vote in the national elections.  You plan to vote in the special election on October 15th to replace Senator Markey's congressional seat.  You put a sign on your lawn.  You sent money to your favorite candidate.  

None of that matters if you don't vote.

Since I started blogging here over the summer, there has been a lot of back and forth about malaise with the School Committee (and some about disagreement with me, which is perfectly fine.)  None of it matters if you don't show up and vote tomorrow.

Waltham is a mid-sized city that, in some ways, functions as a small town.  You owe it to your neighbors, the men and women who have taken the time to run a campaign and to serve the city, to take ten minutes out of your day to vote. 

The right to vote is the best thing about democracy.  Go exercise that right.  Vote in the primary tomorrow.

I'll be back to hound you about it again in October.  And November.

If you don't vote, you have no right to complain.


We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?