Election Day Ramblings- and a question for you folks

[jerp]

Just got back from the polling station and did my civic duty, casting votes in the primary. Question - how many voters actually follow local politics closely enough to have an informed opinion on all the "down ballot" stuff? Do you vote on all of them? I found myself not casting a vote at all for about 2/3rd's of the races on the ballot. Maybe it's just me. For all the time I spend keeping up with national and even international politics I know almost nothing about the local races. I probably know more about the politics of Eastern Europe than I do about the politics of Eastern Parker County where I live. I realize this makes no sense, in terms of which affects me more. So, when you have that long list of local judges, commisioners, dog catchers, etc do you already know who you are going to vote for and why? Going with a straight ticket obviously does not work in the primaries so I can't escape the feeling that in those down-ballot races, most just vote for a name they recognize.

[Johnny Dangerr]

Had a fellow bounce up to me trying to hand me a flyer. I stopped and gave him a very serious look and said "by the time you get here you better know who you are going to vote for - or - you should not be voting"

I stay informed....

[Cam-Mac]

I live in a small enough community that I know all the people that are running (on both sides), so it's different for me. R or D doesn't matter here like it does in other places, so there is not a lot to be informed about. You just vote for the one who is either related to you or is a family friend .

[iamntxhunter]

I actually spend time online researching candidates. Not really a fun thing to do but if you want to be informed its the easiest way to inform yourself.

[boy wonder]

Ashamed to say, there were people on the ballot that I had no clue about.

[jerp]

Long before election day I am absolutely postitive which way I am going to vote for US Representative, US Senator and most state offices. But county judge, commisioner or sheriff? On what exactly are people basing those votes in those races?

[Ouch]

Long before election day I am absolutely postitive which way I am going to vote for US Representative, US Senator and most state offices. But county judge, commisioner or sheriff? On what exactly are people basing those votes in those races?

The sheriff's race here in Smith County is about as hot as any national race we'll vote on this year. It's funny to see folks so bent out of shape about a race that hasn't had a lot of meaning for the last 30-odd years (old sheriff is retiring).

I'm with you, jerp. I won't vote a race I don't know and I've never voted a straight party ticket. If it's a race I don't have any knowledge about, I don't feel obliged to point a blind finger.

[Lungbustr]

Usually if I dont cast a vote its in a position thats uncontested just to show that I do not approve of them or support them. The local stuff I keep up with enough to know who to vote for. As far as everything else I research then vote.

[Landrover]

The point u make is HUGE!!! Expecatations for turnout today is slated to be the lowest in decades. Even in national elections the turnout is less than 50%, i think the electoral college has alot to do with that.
Today:
Senator...........6 folks on ballot we hear about 2 for that position. Neither is all that great.
Romney already got head-nod but now he has the votes as Texas wraps up things tonight.
Constable, multiple Judges & Sheriff's...........whatever!
I am sure November will be alot different as it relates to passion but again it won't change the internal mechanics without some very serious internal changes.

[Landrover]

The sheriff's race here in Smith County is about as hot as any national race we'll vote on this year. It's funny to see folks so bent out of shape about a race that hasn't had a lot of meaning for the last 30-odd years (old sheriff is retiring).
I'm with you, jerp. I won't vote a race I don't know and I've never voted a straight party ticket. If it's a race I don't have any knowledge about, I don't feel obliged to point a blind finger.

I reckon that would be huge as there is going to be a big differnce on how things are handled.........maybe!

[Ouch]

I reckon that would be huge as there is going to be a big differnce on how things are handled.........maybe!

Yep. Either Green or Smith will be our next Sheriff. Either is going to make a lot of changes, which we need. One is going a bit further if he gets the job.

Only 10,000 or so votes in thus far.

[Landrover]

Yep. Either Green or Smith will be our next Sheriff. Either is going to make a lot of changes, which we need. One is going a bit further if he gets the job.

Only 10,000 or so votes in thus far.

Is Smith related to the guy the county is named for????
10k votes??? When I lived there in the early 90's there was at least 140,000 people and the place has grown big time since!

[Ouch]

Is Smith related to the guy the county is named for????
10k votes??? When I lived there in the early 90's there was at least 140,000 people and the place has grown big time since!

Turnout is ridiculously low. It's sad, really.

[Lungbustr]

Turnout is ridiculously low. It's sad, really.

Very sad, Im ashamed to tell you how many had voted in my county. I rushed home from work to barely make it in time to the poles, so there cant be too many more voters after me.

[Ouch]

Turnout is ridiculously low. It's sad, really.

Using some loose math, I think about 26,000 voted in the GOP primary for the Sheriff's position in Smith County... about 12.5% of total county population. The county is predominantly conservative, say 75-80%? If that's accurate, only 1 in 6 eligible voters found the time to vote in the primary.

Perhaps the presidential race being a foregone conclusion kept folks away from the polls... I dunno, but it's frustrating.