Kenmore Election Results – What Election? What Mandate?
A Stunning Lack of Citizen Participation in Kenmore
The numbers speak for themselves with regard to the Kenmore City Council election yesterday:
23.35% of the registered voters voted
Fewer than 3000 people in Kenmore voted
Not much of an “election”
The word “mandate” does not apply*
*In politics, a mandate is the authority granted by an electorate to act as its representative. Elections, especially ones with a large margin of victory, are often said to give the newly elected government or elected official a mandate to implement certain policies. …
November 5th, 2009 at 7:51 am
James: I could not agree more!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:34 am
However ……. it is a mail-in ballot, many still in the pipeline, and not validated until November 24.
I’m hoping my fellow citizens deliver a Thanksgiving surprise with a high turn out and participation.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Hi Bill – Well, given the primary turn-out and the initial results from Tuesday’s election, I wouldn’t hold my breath over a huge increase in the mandate of this election.
If the numbers change, I’ll certainly update my blog!!! Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:43 am
It looks like us political junkies are the only voters this time around. The rest just couldn’t get out of their Barca lounger and fill in the dots on their ballot. And their excuse?
“My vote wouldn’t count.”
Jeez o’ please! Your vote counts! Look at the Seattle Mayoral race! It looks like it will come down to a handful of votes! That’s a prime example of every vote counting!
We won’t know for sure until November 16th, but at this point I won’t hold my breath.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:09 am
We’re already up to 4110 votes cast. Although we probably won’t hit 50%, it is possible.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am
5202 now, 40.71%. No bad for an non-presidential election.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I’m truly impressed.