Opinionator Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune, blames voters on auto-pilot for radical right Legislature, not Democrats, who can't seem to gain traction on issues like education, even when they try:
No, it's not the Democrats' fault. Not in a state where so many of us have dropped out. A generation ago, 52 percent of Idaho's voting-age population participated in the mid-term elections. The last mid-term, in 2010, saw that turnout drop to 40 percent. Not in a state where so many people put their voting on autopilot. Of the state's 35 legislative districts, only three - Legislative District 5 in Latah and Benewah counties, District 6 in Nez Perce and Lewis counties and District 26 in Blaine, Camas, Gooding and Lincoln counties - actually show some discretion by electing people from both parties. Everywhere else, it's less about gathering information and choosing the best person. Everywhere else, it's more about voting the straight party line/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.
Question: How do you get voters to start paying attention to issues rather than voting straight party line for individuals who vote for their ideology rather than their constituency once in office?
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.
population participated in the mid-term elections. The last mid-term, in 2010, saw that turnout drop to 40 percent. Not in a state where so many people put their voting on autopilot. Of the state's 35 legislative districts, only three - Legislative District 5 in Latah and Benewah counties, District 6 in Nez Perce and Lewis counties and District 26 in Blaine, Camas, Gooding and Lincoln counties - actually show some discretion by electing people from both parties. Everywhere else, it's less about gathering information and choosing the best person. Everywhere else, it's more about voting the straight party line/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.
