During off-year elections, when the President is not up for election, like this November, it is common for voter turnout to be low. While an average of 60% turnout during Presidential cycles, that average drops to 40%, historically, for off-year cycles. If that holds true for this November, it will be bad news for our democracy.
In New York Congressional District 21, where Besty and I live, should the incumbent win by, say, 60%/40% over the challenger, Matt Castelli (D), that means that Rep. Stefanik (R) will have the support of 24% of the eligible voters. 76% of the eligible voters supported either her opponent, or no one.
If the mandate to hold public office is determined by the informed consent of the governed constituents, we have failed, and so has she. This result is routine. Public office holders behave as if they the authority to govern, when 70% to 80% of registered, eligible voters are silent, and never gave their informed consent. It is theatrical, a ruse.
And what has Ms. Stefanik accomplished in the her 7 years of representing the 21st District of New York? Well, she has no legislative accomplishments to speak of. She did offer a bill to name a post office in the district. It passed. This has no effect on the lives of us who live in NY-21, but that’s what got to her to the height of leadership in the Republican Party. Liz Cheney is voted out and Elise Stefanik, namer of one post office, becomes handmaiden to Leader Kevin McCarthy.
A great deal of taxpayer money went to pay the salary of Stefanik for political theater without any attempt to govern, to write legislation or do anything meaningful for her district. She behaves as if she has the informed consent to govern and is entitled to be paid for steadfastly not doing so. Mostly, she votes no to everything, because Leader McCarthy demands it from her. Problems are more politically valuable when they go unsolved. The Republicans bemoan that government doesn’t work, and they are elected to prove it.
My question is, are you motivated? Will you use the franchise paid for with the blood and sweat of others gone before you, and vote? The greater the voter turnout, the more likely we will have officer holders that govern, and not just the theater of the absurd.