Mini mandate

Candidates weigh meaning of low voter turnout

October 7, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE/Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - Candidates for nearly every office up for consideration in Tuesday's election were happy with the results when the polls closed, even before they knew if they had won or lost.

The 24.18 percent voter turnout for Tuesday's election was considered good by many of the candidates and Matanuska-Susitna Borough officials. But how can less than a quarter of voters participating in an election be good?

According to Gerald McBeath, professor of political science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and author of several books on Alaska politics and government, the numbers were right on target for an offseason election.

&#8221I'm not saying one in four voters participating in an election is a good thing, but rather that the typical a turnout of 20-25 present is the norm for municipal elections in the state, when there is no state or federal election,“ McBeath said. &#8221The super voters, who vote in every election, and the organized groups, are where the majority of them come from.“

The results in the Valley were favorable when compared with the 18 percent turnout of registered voters who participated in the election held in Fairbanks Tuesday. It was also slightly higher than the 23.7 percent turnout reported from the Kenai Peninsula.

&#8221Without a strongly contested issue or a national election to make people more aware of the political season, most people just stay home,“ McBeath concluded. &#8221The percentage of Valley voters is at the high end of the norm.“

The boroughwide turnout was down nearly a full percentage point from last year. But in the city elections, both Houston and Wasilla saw an increased response from voters.

The turnout in Wasilla climbed from 22.8 percent to 24.7, and Houston nearly doubled the percentage of voters from 14.2 to 26.9. Voting in Palmer dipped from 25 percent to 19.6.

Residents in the more outlying Trapper Creek area had the lowest percentage of voters cast ballots, with slightly more than 16 percent of registered voters turning out. Residents in the Lazy Mountain and Fishhook areas had the highest turnouts. Both registered more than 32 percent turnout.

Fishhook Community Council President Bryon Williams credited the high percentage of voters to concerns over property taxes and a reminder made at the last council meeting for the percentage of voters from the area climbing 5 percent in one year.

&#8221I would say that there were several factors,“ Williams said. &#8221A lot of people in the community have become active recently with the possibility of Hatcher Pass being developed, and we reminded everyone at our last council meeting.“

Candidates whose names were on the ballot had mixed feelings about the turnout.

Houston City Council candidate Link Fannon said the recent growth has brought a more civically responsible citizen to his community.

&#8221People are starting to realize that Houston is growing up,“ Fannon said. &#8221And they want to be a part of it. That is the reason for the big swing in voter turnout in Houston.“

&#8221We have the big number, 24 percent, that everyone is touting, and that is good based on current trends,“ said Mike Chmielewski, who was defeated in his bid for re-election to the Mat-Su School Board. &#8221But in some precincts, the numbers were in the low teens. I can't say that it was a good turnout because of the overall low percentage of voters who participated. I think it's pathetic that so few people are involved.“

Borough Assembly candidate Greg Koskela disagreed.

&#8221For an off-year election, I thought the turnout was exceptionally high,“ he said. &#8221Compared to past years, it was a good showing by the voters.“

Mary Kvalheim, who led Koskela by 11 votes for the District 4 seat after Tuesday's voting (See related story, Page A1), echoed the opinion of her opponent.

&#8221The turnout is pretty normal,“ Kvalheim said. &#8221I recall some past elections that had turnouts of 11 or 12 percent.

Whether they felt the turnout was good or bad, every candidate agreed that the election would be better if more people were involved. But none could identify what might make that a reality.

&#8221I have no idea why more people don't vote,“ Kvalheim added. &#8221The borough and the cities have done everything possible to give people a chance to vote at their convenience. They had early voting stations at their offices and even at the Cottonwood Creek Mall. They were even open on the weekends.“

Wasilla City Council member Diana Straub, who was unsuccessful in her run for mayor, said she believes that it is not a question of needing to do more to get people to vote. Instead, she pointed to the constant time constraints people face every day.

&#8221People are so busy working, commuting and taking care of their kids that they don't have to stay informed,“ Straub said. &#8221When I was going door to door, there were people who were surprised that I was running against (former mayor) Sarah Palin. I think if they weren't so busy with their families they could stay informed, and maybe then they would vote.“

McBeath indicated the only way to get more voters to the polls is for them to be motivated.

&#8221When the people are voting for things that affect them personally, they turn out,“ he explained. &#8221People need something to rally around, and they need to be organized. If there is a labor organization, anti-tax group or political organization to rally the voters, they will turn out.“

Darrell L. Breese can

be reached at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@frontiersman

.com.