Editorial | Casual citizens

Published 2:07 pm Tuesday, November 10, 2009

When looking over the results of the election, it is difficult not to be appalled at the low turnout. Less than half — or 45 percent — of King County registered voters mailed in their ballots in this election. Mercer Island voters turned out at a better rate than most other jurisdictions to participate in democracy, but not by much. Just 55 percent of registered Island voters sent in their vote. Election officials had expected that even fewer voters would vote, but in reality, both numbers are dismal. A year ago, 88 percent of all registered Island voters cast their ballot. There are 16,343 registered voters on Mercer Island — 9,001 voted in the past election. That leaves more than 7,000 voters who did not.

It is amazing that more people did not take the time to vote ­— even for nothing else than on the issues or candidates they know about. There is little excuse for this. It is just too easy. Surely putting a stamp on an envelope is not as difficult as getting yourself to a polling station. For a country that touts democracy and choice, it is distressing that just half takes part.