Voters, canvassing board reinforce democratic process

Frontiersman editorial board

By Monday we'll know who the next borough mayor is … again. The recount is underway to determine whether or not Tim Anderson actually defeated Charlie Fannon by six votes in the recent round of elections.

The fact that so few votes separated the two candidates, and the fact that a recount will have to be conducted to ensure voters get the correct outcome are both evidence of a democratic system that works, and Frontiersman applauds the process. No matter which candidate sits in the Mayor's office for the next three years, the voters scored a victory this year. They reinforced the importance of every single vote. The close vote also affords the Mat-Su Borough Canvassing Board the opportunity to test its accuracy. In past recounts in the Valley errors were found, but they have always been minimal, and they never changed the original outcome.

If a recount does produce a different result, even that will be evidence of a system that, through its own checks and balances, works for voters. Valley voters should be pleased with the effectiveness of the electoral process here, and they should be heartened by an election that will likely be decided by fewer than 10 votes. What could better evidence the importance of every vote in every election? In a time when voter apathy is usually the star of election coverage, we can point to our voters and say that enough of them displayed interest, passion and gumption enough to go to the polls and decide an important election by such a close margin. Hats off to those voters who made the effort.

The canvassers who work so hard to ensure election results are accurate also deserve a great deal of credit. These are people who believe so strongly in the democratic process that they're willing to sacrifice their time to do an important job that is often as thankless as it is tedious. It should be pointed out that a recall is not a way to question their ability or their commitment to accuracy. The recount is simply a way voters can be guaranteed that this close election produces the correct outcome. It's also an opportunity for the canvassing board to demonstrate the viability of their process, and we believe that will be the case.

The most important outcome of this election will not involve the board or the candidates, however. The most important outcome will happen in the homes of ever Valley voter. If you are eligible to vote here, and you have not exercised that responsibility because you thought your vote didn't matter, now you know better. Now you know that you and five of your neighbors can change the direction of your community with the stroke of a pen. Congratulations to those who strengthened the democratic process by reminding us of that.