Candidates: give us a reason to turn out

Frontiersman editorial board

As primaries loom, voter turnout becomes a hot topic. While Alaska does have a fairly high number of registered voters, most of them don't visit the polls on primary day. Higher numbers participate in general elections, but even that is largely dependent upon the intensity of the issues or upon the intensity of one or more of the races.

Candidates and organizations expend much energy to increase voter participation, but they seem to ignore the obvious. What needs to be increased is voter interest. Some voters, particularly young ones, feel disenfranchised. Or at least they feel that their votes mean little when the choices seem limited or bland. To turn out high numbers of indifferent, or uninformed, voters may actually do more damage than good. The trick is to re-energize the electorate -- to get them involved in the entire political process, not just in the voting process.

Listen to the debates on television and radio this year. The candidates largely err on the side of blandness for fear of alienating voters. They speak mostly in generalities. "We need to do something about the economy." Yeah, okay. So what do we need to do? They'll hint at the Alaska Permanent Fund and taxation, but most of them steer clear of laying out anything like a real plan. "We need a change in Alaska." From what to what? Many of the candidates calling for change also tout their long history of experience in state or local politics. Hmm. "I'm the right choice because I'm going to work hard." Some things shouldn't have to be said. What's the alternative here? "Vote for me because I need a break from a real job?" Who's going to say that?

The point is, say something, candidates. Don't worry about whether we're going to show up at the polls. Worry about whether you have a message that truly resonates with voters. If you're passionate enough about something to run for public office, let that passion show. If you step out and say to the public the same things you say to your friends about the issues, some people will disagree. But everybody will listen. If you want the voters to get out of bed on election day, be honest and wake us up.