The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a very good article about how few Texans actually bother to vote. In the United States as a whole, our fair state ranks near the bottom in the percentage of its citizens that vote. And this failure of most Texans to vote isn't restricted to one sex. Texas men rank 48th in the U.S., and Texas women rank 49th in the U.S. -- and neither figure is anything to be proud of.
Why doesn't a majority of Texans vote? Is it a lack of inspiring candidates? Is it a feeling that their vote doesn't really count [or won't be counted]? Or is it just laziness or apathy? I don't think anyone really knows, but it's probably a combination of all the above reasons. I know I wonder sometimes if all we're deciding is which group of rich creeps gets to steal from us for the next couple of years.
But however frustrated we become, we must remember that change was never made by those who gave up. It is always made by those who refuse to give up, no matter what the odds.
Personally, I hope the Democrats do very well on election day, but I'm not so dense as to think that will solve all of America's problems. Perhaps though, a small bit of progress can be made, so that we can build on it in later years.
Whatever your political persuasion [or lack of one], go out and VOTE this coming Tuesday. If it does nothing else, it'll give you the right to bitch for the next two years.
The figures below show the bottom five states in voter participation in the United States. The figures are based on an average of 1998 and 2000 figures.
MEN
(50) Nevada 37.9
(49) Arizona 39.1
(48) Texas 39.4
(47) Georgia 42.7
(46) California 42.6
U.S. avg. 47.3
WOMEN
(50) Arizona 41.4
(49) Texas 41.7
(48) Nevada 41.8
(47) Georgia 43.7
(46) Hawaii 43.9
U.S. avg. 49.3
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Texas doesn't vote because it is a one party state with a relatively ill-educated population. If we had a better educated electorate and two viable parties, and fewer novelty candidates, we'd see a better turnout.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with you about "novelty" candidates. I think they actually raise the turnout.
ReplyDeleteIn the last few presidential elections, candidates have focused more on personal issues with each other and trying to smear the other in the public's eye than trying to promote what they stand for or what they are going to do for our country. People are just tired of trying to figure out which one to vote for when both are acting like children.
ReplyDeleteIn the last few elections, candidates have focused more on personal issues and trying to smear the other in the public's eye than focusing on what they can do for our country. People can't decide who to vote for when both choices are acting like children.
ReplyDeleteCould anyone help me? By telling me the five basic reasons for poor voter turnout in Texas and the three basic methods of improving the rate of voter turnout in the state of Texas
ReplyDelete