Turning or Tuning Out the Vote

At the risk of being sanctimonious, if you aren't planning to vote during the midterms, what is wrong with you? Literally thousands of Iowans and millions of others around the country will likely sit this election out just because they believe their vote doesn't matter or is being suppressed, that politicians are all crooks, that their vote is being manipulated, etc. Hogwash. Sadly, it means that others are doing their thinking for them. All those political strategists, lobbying efforts, PACs, etc. have targeted them as a demographic and through caterwauling web ads, tv spots, and campaign framed-messages convinced them that they would be suckers to vote (or to vote for their best interests). Add to that those nattering nabobs of negativity that are our friends and family who also reinforce that sentiment and give us comfort to do nothing. In a nutshell, that is what keeps generally decent people from voting.

Some will say, that is overly simplistic and say things like what about those who don't know enough about the candidates and their stances--do we really want them voting?" --Yes we do and clue, check-out Headcount for ways to self-inform about issues and candidates. Well, what about those who mean to but... (kids, work, illness)--surely you have compassion? No, I don't and a clue, vote early or absentee (check-out Vote.org to figure out how). Well, what about those who have committed a crime, should they vote? Yes, when they have served their time, they should automatically be restored to the voter rolls--no governor or panel should be needed--but, your vote can help get this done.

It is your right and privilege to vote or not vote, but ignorance or feeling minimalized are not justifiable reasons--just excuses. Reasons you should vote are numerous, but here are mine:

1. A vote is the oil that makes democracy run. Democracy is still an experimental form of governing. Voting is the mechanism that puts representatives to work for or against you. 
2. A vote is influence peddling. You likely don't have enough money to influence your representatives financially, so the least you can do is help elect the one who you feel will be less likely to screw you over for campaign cash.
3. A vote is a form of hope. You want your world to be better, your schools, neighborhood, state? A vote is for all those things.
4. A vote is a protest. You don't like what a party or candidate are doing, your vote for another party or candidate is your best way to show your discontent.
5. A vote is a voice. Your voice and many others add up to a public library being given the go ahead, a scoundrel given the boot, or a part of the Constitution being amended. 
6. A vote is change. Who really knows what the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) would think about the United States today? What is true is our votes create change through policy, law, and leadership.
7. A vote is the future. With what we hear about the effects of climate change, nukes, and other potentially life ending events and factors, our vote can change the course of humankind or speed our demise.
8. A vote is a choice. A vote says "I think A is better than B" and you have weighed the pros and cons and made a decision.
9. A vote is a responsibility. It is you contract with your neighbors, your fellow citizens and, to some extent, to the people of the world, that you understand that we all need to figure out a way to live with each and thrive together. You vote says you understand that id being responsible.
10. A vote is a connection. The issues, whether they be local, state, or national will impact you and others in good and bad ways. Your vote connects you to the person who is representing you and allows you to petition them when you are aggrieved and encourage them when you want them to do more.
11. A vote is a correction. History tells us that we don't always get it right the first time. A vote is a way to repeal and replace solutions with better ones. 

Tune out or turn out, those are the only choices. How will you vote?

CORRECTION: Turnout Doubles Between 9 and 11 AM in Johnson County

Note: This story has been updated to reflect an important correction to the vote count which is cumulative, not "point in time". My apologies to readers and sincere thanks to John who caught this error. Back after 3 pm's update.

Voters are coming out in higher numbers after a slow start at the polls. According to the Johnson County Auditor's office, almost 13% of all registered voters (11,788) have voted at the polls with over 9 hours left to go. 18% of registered voters in smaller communities outside of Iowa City and Coralville have already voted, while Coralville is at slightly more than 12% turnout and Iowa City is hovering just at 10%.

Some precincts' turnout of note:
Johnson County
Cedar: 30%
Jefferson West: 26%
Jefferson East: 25%
Solon and Big Grove: 23%

In Coralville
Grant Woood AEA: 14%
Wickham: 13%
Coralville Recreation Ctr.: 13%

In Iowa City
Lemme: 15%
Regina: 14%
Horne: 13%

7% Turnout by 9 AM in Johnson County

Voters have turned out early in today's presidential election with 7.03% of the vote already in by 9 am at polling places across Johnson County. Based on the previous presidential election of 2004, the pace for this election is lower with roughly 400 votes tallied. However, when compared to the September school board elections where less than 3000 voters turned out all day, the 6486 votes already in dwarfs that number.

Voter turnout outside of Iowa City and Coralville has been considerably higher with almost 10% of the vote in from smaller communities like North Liberty, Tiffin, and Oxford, as well as rural Johnson County. Within Iowa City, the turnout has been relatively low with 5.4% of the vote tallied. In Coralville, 7.6% of the vote is in.

With almost 42,000 of Johnson County's 92,200 registered voters requesting absentee ballots or voting early, as compared to 34,000 in 2004, voting is this election is still on a pace to eclipse 2004's record turnout.

Turnout information is available at the Johnson County Auditor's website.