October 23, 2008

Get out and vote!

I heard a few weeks back that Washington state is predicting 84% turnout for this election, a near record high. From what I can tell, this must be a percentage of registered voters, not all people of voting age. Including all people of voting age, I imagine the percentage would be in the mid to upper 60's.

Nationwide, the statistics are a little depressing/shameful. Over the last 40 years or so, the average turnout of legal age voters for presidential elections is around 54%. This is one of the lowest among worldwide democracies.

This is a historical election for many reasons. The next four years will be a difficult period no matter who wins. Be invested in your country's future. Lessons of Florida in 2000, and the 2004 gubernatorial election in Washington which was decided by 129 votes, tell us that every vote counts.

Don't be like this guy - get out and vote.



Work warning - Bleeped language in video.