Blog by Robert Salladay in the LA Times:
This is catching election officials by surprise. Normally, about double the number of absentee ballots would be turned in by now. Statewide, only about 27% of voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots have completed their civic duty.
Something is happening. Here is a sample of a few big counties, with the number of ballots returned to election officials so far compared to how many voters had requested absentee ballots. Los Angeles: 219,246 returned, 32% of ballots requested Alameda: 98,385 returned, 31.7% Orange: 35,503 returned, 8% Sacramento: 67,028 returned, 27% San Diego: 140,318 returned, 33% San Bernardino: 73,833 returned, 35%Voters still have a few days to mail the ballots, which must arrive by Tuesday, and they can always drop the ballot off at polling places on election day. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/politicalmuscle/
Larry Gilbert commentary:
I urge every voter to show our troops that while they celebrate Thanksgiving away from home and their families, we will honor them by casting ballots by next Tuesday.
Larry, I’m a fellow MV resident. You’ve overwhelmed this blog with Measure M. Why do you mention the troops now? Don’t guilt me, please…
Every election season is the same. It’s about the only time politicians and their cronies bring up the troops. When I was in Desert Storm in 1990 we heard the same battlecry. When I was in Somalia in 1992 we got the same spiel on Bush 41 vs. Clinton. I don’t mean to be sour but I doubt many voters actually think about our troops when they cast their ballots.
Do you think the voters thought about our troops when they went to the poll in 1964? How about 1968? 1974? You are old enough to remember.
Arguments about Measure M or the troops aside, maybe the reason that the return rate on Orange County’s absentee ballots is so darn low is that the OC Registrar of Voters has been negligently late this year in getting out voter information. We only got our absentee ballots this week, despite sending in our request on the same day that we got our (also later than usual) county sample ballot/voter info book. Our ballots will be going back today.
Anyone else have similar problems?
I am going to show my appreciation for our troops by voting YES on Measure M, so that they have great roads to travel on when they come home.
Quang.
There is a direct connection between our troops and voting which I have addressed before.
Measure M does require a vote.
As a Mission Viejo resident perhaps you saw me at most of the Veteran’s ceremonies in Mission Viejo and at the cemetary in Lake Forest. Their city council members surely have. You might have been there as well. Think about how quickly we take our freedom for granted in this nation.
Mission Viejo has over 98,000 residents. Not counting the elected officials, guests, color guard and city staff, we sadly have less than 50 residents showing up at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center to honor the dead and to thank the servicemen who are there.
Don’t you dare question my patriotism connection to voting.
I cannot respond on behalf of the electorate from the elections you reference and, respectfully, neither can you.
Larry Gilbert
I think about my father’s WWII tour of duty every time I vote. I also remember his service to his country on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and Labor Day. Until my grandmother died three years ago, she always remembered her sons that served in WWII when she voted.
Veteran’s Day is upon us. Send a greeting card to someone who has served our country and express your gratitude and thanks.
I am grateful that Mr. Gilbert has taken the time to shine a bright and much needed light on Measure M.
Keep on.
Larry, you ask for reader comments then you blast back with “Don’t you dare question my patriotism connection to voting.” I did not question your patriotism so lighten up. I asked for the connection between your obsession with Measure M, a local issue, and the sudden mentioning of the troops. And yes, I have attended many MV Memorial and Veterans Day gatherings in front of City Hall and the Norman Center. I spoke at the 2005 Memorial Day event. I don’t know what you look like so I can’t say I’ve seen you but I take your word. I’m not going this year.
It was disheartening to see so few civilian attendees. Most were veterans and members of the local American Legion or VFW. Many former Marines in OC celebrate the USMC birthday (Nov. 10) with each other anyway. Our Corps’ birthday is close to Veterans Day (Nov. 11) every year. We get hundreds of attendees who I believe skip the city events which mostly serve as platforms for council members to yak about duty and honor. Two of the most awkward speeches I had to bear were J.P. Ledesma (MV) and Larry Agran (El Toro/Great Park).
Kevin – got my ballots and booklet about 10 days ago.
Quang.
I attended the Memorial Day event you reference and heard your speech.
We should pray for, or at least acknowledge, our servicemen and servicewomen every day. Sadly we designate a few minutes, during a few holiday’s, to honor the troops. Past and present.
There is a connection. Simply look at the photos of the Iraqi’s who risked their lives when given the opportunity to vote in an open and free election. They showed us their purple fingers to prove that freedom which did not exsit before U.S. troops were on the scene. If you read today’s newspapers we might have a 55 percent turnout. That’s sad! The electorate is turned off by all of the negative mailers and our current administrations from the White House to the local city council races. Apathy has set in. My efforts are to energize the voters to take a few minutes to be part of the democratic process.
Do you realize that with less than a 50 percent turnout, a successful candidate or ballot measure can pass with a minority of the people making that choice?
Larry