All right, the duty’s done. Students cast their ballots. Congratulations. Oregon voters should be especially congratulated. Turnout was estimated at 81 percent Tuesday evening. Fantastic job, y’all.
I don’t think, however, that the mail-in nature of the election had much to do with it.
According to the secretary of state’s Web site (www.state.or.us), Oregon’s average turnout in general elections since 1960 is 75 percent. The trend in primary elections is lower, with an average turnout since 1960 of 56 percent, and the turnout for the all-mail-in primary election this May was about the same, with 51 percent. The all-mail-in voting didn’t make much difference.
I still think, however, that mail-in elections are the wave of the future. We need to join the future and encourage voter participation like other countries do: Give people more time and opportunity to vote. More states should give their voters a three-week balloting period and the accessibility of letting the post office deliver the ballot. Congratulations to Bill Bradley, the secretary of state, for doing so much work to make this happen in Oregon.
But the ballots have been mailed or dropped in the giant green box. Politicians have been elected and ballot measures have been decided. And so what now?
I guess y’all are off the hook. Participation is complete. Your voice has been heard and you can crawl back into the world of Fox programming, parties and sports for another four years. Like, sooo NOT.
Cajoling, conniving and convincing students to vote was just a ploy to get them actually involved in the political process. Your job is not done. If Ralph Nader hasn’t been elected, the Republicans haven’t retained control of the U.S. Congress and Measure 9 passed, what do you do?
Regardless of the outcome of any election, the real work to make our world look more like our secret ideal happens after the polls close. Representatives can only represent the people in the political process if they hear what the people think.
So when you pick up the newspaper and read that President Bush has just approved more drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, call and tell him if you think it’s wrong.
If President Gore decides to push for federal mandates of affirmative action at every university, write him a letter if you think it’s wrong.
If there are issues not addressed by the elected representatives, send them e-mail and let them know.
This is the best part: Direct participation in the governing process can be achieved on an ongoing basis on your computer. You can find the e-mail addresses of politicians, write a message and send it, all in the time it takes to download the latest U2 single.
The duty’s not done, and students aren’t off the hook. Congratulations for finally getting involved and making your voice heard. Now get to work.