High voter turnout shows U.S. has strong democracy
News that the 2004 presidential election produced the largest voter turnout in 36 years is nothing but encouraging. It shows Americans do care about the direction of the nation we call home — a feeling which isn’t always readily conveyed by some elections.
The Center for the Study of the American Electorate announced Friday the voter turnout was 60.7 percent. That’s the highest it’s been since 1968 when President Nixon edged Hubert Humphrey and 61.9 percent of those eligible cast ballots.
For democracy to truly be a reflection of the people it represents, the people have to take the time to vote. It’s such a simple task, yet some citizens inexplicably don’t exercise their right to elect their leaders. That was evident even in the lively 2004 election when not even 50 percent of eligible Hawaii residents voted. Only 51 percent of Arkansas residents did.
In this time when we’re sending thousands of American soldiers overseas in an attempt to establish democracy in Iraq, it would be nice if everyone embraced the concept here at home. With early voting and mail-in ballots eliminating inconveniences, 100 percent voter turnout would be a welcome sign.
But since that day will never come, we’re left to celebrate minor victories. And getting over 60 percent of the people to the polls isn’t a bad place to start.