Election turnout better, but still lacking

We can pat ourselves on the back, or at least half of us can.

Voter turnout approached nearly 50 percent in Vernon County.

We had a number of contested county races, important state and national races on tap, as well as decisions on four constitutional amendments, ranging from allowing certain types of evidence in sex abuse cases of children, one that focused on teacher tenure and local school board control, another centered on early voting, and the last one targeting the governor's budget power.

Vernon County voters went to the polls, at least 48.87 percent of us did.

While that's better than other elections, which have dipped considerably below that, that still means half of us didn't take the time to cast our ballot.

Obviously, we weren't lacking for pocketbook issues, or key local races to galvanize us. And with the national dialogue even more laser-focused, our turnout could have been better.

For some states, like Minnesota, numbers have traditionally ranged in the 70 percent.

It's a sad commentary when Americans have become apathetic about exercising their right to vote, the very right that in other countries is denied or comes at a potential cost of loss of life.

This is especially true as this election preceeded our Veterans' Day celebrations and remembrances. Our veterans served our country to guarantee us the right to vote, among our other valued freedoms.

All of us have a role to play in following up with education and awareness in selecting those who will determine our level of city services and how and what we will pay for them.

Those running for office did their job. Every one of the candidates in each race exhorted residents to get out and vote.

All stressed the need for greater citizen awareness and involvement.

Unfortunately, those of you reading this aren't the ones needing to get the message.

Newspaper readers are more informed and more likely to vote.

Yet until we can overcome disinterest and apathy, our government won't be as effective as it could be with full citizen participation.