What happens to a democracy if no one shows up?
This is not a rhetorical question. Many of our local candidates are skipping candidate forums, debates and accountability sessions. Doesn’t being a candidate for public service require presenting yourself to the public?
In the 2014 General Election, Southern Arizona had the lowest voting turnout in the state – now below 50 percent. Young Arizonans age 18-28 only voted at 18 percent! State Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas, among other statewide candidates, never came to a candidate session in Tucson and only went to one in Phoenix. And yet she won! Are voting turnout and candidate reticence and stonewalling connected?
What about independent expenditure committees and dark money? Some of it is used for attack ads on candidates and some of it is simply used to discourage people from voting. At our recent candidate accountability session at Amphitheater High School, attended by more than 500 local residents, Rev. Jim Wiltbank said that the antidote to voter apathy and dark money is “us.” When we opt out and don’t participate – candidates and voters alike – we destroy the proper functioning of a democracy and renege on our civic responsibility.
Tim Steller’s recent column, “Candidates Increasingly View Debates as Optional” (Arizona Daily Star, Oct. 5, 2016) discusses recent candidate “no shows” and states that “the exchange that happens there keeps our system vital.” As a country and a democracy, we encourage everyone to participate in the electoral process. It is still the envy of the world and what we say our soldiers defend when we send them to fight overseas.
The six organizations that sponsored the Oct. 2nd “Education and Economic Success for All” Accountability Session promote a non-partisan message: Learn about the candidates; don’t vote for those that you don’t know (or won’t show); encourage your families and friends to vote; and don’t let negative advertising and dirty politics make you apathetic.
If this message resonates with you, join us on Saturday, Oct. 15th from 9-11:30 a.m. when we do a non-partisan get-out-the-vote walk in the Amphi High School neighborhood. We will leave from Literacy Connects, at 200 E. Yavapai, just a block east of Amphi High School off North Stone Avenue.
Two years ago, U.S. Rep. Martha McSally won Congressional District 2 by 167 votes and state Rep. Randy Friese won Legislative District 9 by 145 votes; just last month, Phoenix-area Congressional Candidate Andy Biggs won his primary by 22 votes. Your vote makes a difference!
Vote your conscience but by all means vote to keep democracy alive and healthy.
