I read on the fron page of the Chronicle (the story about White being elected) that only 20% of registered voters actually made it out yesterday. My wife and I were at the polls at 8AM.
Wow -- 20 percent is really sad. I know some see voting as cliche or pointless, but you gotta exercise this fundamental right. Sigh.
Wife and I voted at 6:45....woulda been earlier but you know those xmas lights get all tangled up....
Why do people complain about low voter turnout? Low turnout just gives your vote that much more weight. Do you really want important issues decided by people that don't bother to vote?
I also voted a week early... no lines, no mess... really sad that so few people care about local politics... especially in a mayoral race.
I voted mid afternoon. I was the only person voting at my location. My wife went and voted right before the polls closed.
I voted at about 11, but I almost forgot to. Busy day on Saturday. Just to play devil's advocate, I think that most people knew that the mayoral runoff wouldn't be close. That plus the fact that it was a Saturday probably had a lot to do with the low turnout. Wasn't it much higher last month? I don't think having elections on Saturdays is a very good idea.
I think having them on Saturdays is a great idea. More people have to work Monday through Friday. I know most polling stations have extended hours during the week, but that doesn't always work for some folks (and many employers aren't exactly all that forgiving about taking time off during the day to go vote). I found it much easier going in early Saturday without having to worry about being late for work.
