Merica: Voter Turnout Was Lousy

Merica: Voter turnout is under 16%? Coeur d’Alene is lucky there wasn’t an organized effort to sink the levy. Can’t believe only 16% took the time to vote. As opinionated as this community can be, I’m always surprised at the low voter turnout.

PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 63) .  .  .  .  .        63   100.00
REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL .  .  .  .  .    52,484
BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL.  .  .  .  .  .  .     8,499
VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL  .  .  .  .  .  .             16.19

DFO: As I read the tea leaves above, I suspect that voter turnout throughout Kootenai County was 16.19% in the 63 precincts involved in school measure votes. Only 8,499 of 52,484 eligible voters took the time to cast ballot. Merica is right that an organized effort could have knocked down any of these measures. I suspect a lot of you didn’t vote, despite your exposure to daily reminders here that our votes are important, especially in Kootenai County where an organized minority of Hard Right ideologues has taken over the Republican Party and holds 8 of 9 legislative offices. I don’t know what it’s going to take to wake some of you up. Thoughts?