Valley rights not exercising rights

There was a time when Valley voters went to the polls in respectable numbers for local, state and federal elections. But, in the last decade or so, the number of residents who actually vote has dramatically shrunk.

About 25 percent of registered voters who list Mat-Su as their home participated in last years legislative and congressional elections, meaning the people representing us at various government levels are being elected by a minority of residents.

Since our democratic system is based on majority rule, it is not good that so few citizens are willing to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Why? Because it means their voices are not being heard, and that candidates can pander to the whims and issues of only a few when they are elected to represent all of us.

It is unclear why Valley residents are not voting, particularly when it is almost impossible to find one who does not have a strong opinion on many of the issues affecting us. From subsistence to taxing their permanent fund dividend check; from the school system to the condition of our roads and highways; from the right to keep and bear arms to evolution vs. creationism, Mat-Su residents are outspoken in their opinions until it comes to the one time they can voice their opinion in a manner that will actually make a difference: their vote!

At the Frontiersman we hear people give many reasons for neglecting this critical exercise of their rights. Some say government cannot be trusted, others that it does not matter if they vote because special interests actually run everything anyway. Some claim their commute to Anchorage leaves no time to study the issues or the stances candidates take on those issues. And some simply say they do not see any candidate who inspires them enough to trek to the polls.

By failing to vote, these residents are leaving the decision of who will represent them in city hall, the legislature, school boards and on issues to someone else. In effect, they are disenfranchising themselves.

We believe this is not only the wrong approach, it is a dangerous approach in terms of keeping the democratic process alive and healthy. Accordingly, we encourage all Valley residents to exercise their constitutional right to vote. To do this, residents must be registered to vote 30 days before an election. The state Division of Elections just issued a release that it has purged 23,000 names from its registered voters list, meaning some residents may have to vote challenged ballots for the Sept. 14 special election on reducing the amount they will receive in their dividend checks. But there is still time to register for the Oct. 5 local elections.

The elections division purges the names of those who have moved out of state, and those who have failed to vote in several past elections.

Valley residents should not throw away such an important right. Check with the elections division to see if you are registered to vote and, if not, get registered and let your voice be heard in the one place where it can make a difference: the ballot box.

Otherwise, residents have no one to blame but themselves for the kind of government and representation they receive.

Editorials are written by the Frontiersman editoral staff, consisting of Kari Sleight, William Kelder, Eric Burkett, Brett Kangas, Tom Spoth, Zachary Zibrat, Sandra Medearis, Casey Ressler and A. Menerey.