No barriers account for nonvoting

The 2015 general election has been certified. Two races will go to recount and two measures were excruciatingly close, decided by less than half of one percent of votes cast.

With its 34 percent turnout, this election generated a fair amount of concern and speculation – definitely a case study for “Every Vote Counts.” But not a demonstration of a failing democracy.

Let me assure you, no nefarious political group is suppressing the vote. And voters are not disappearing. Low participation in the last few years is within normal range and may be slightly elevated by Washington’s easy registration and vote-by-mail systems (our pool of qualified voters is larger).

Washington state’s election system is quite healthy and outperforms most of the nation. According to the Pew Elections Performance Index, which provides an apples-to-apples comparison of the 50 states, Washington has consistently ranked in the top 20 percent. The index is comprised of 17 important performance indicators, ranging from voter turnout to voter registration, from disability access to election audits.

Even in 2014 (“The Worst Voter Turnout in 72 Years!” screamed the headlines), Washington state’s turnout was well above the national average.

The ugly truth is that Americans turn out for hyper-partisan and obscenely financed presidential elections. Midterm elections (when we elect members of Congress two years into the president’s term) seem to lack pop and sizzle for voters. Even less popular are the off-year elections dominated by local government.

This trend hasn’t varied since the 1840s.

Washington state is no exception. Although Washington has an outstanding voter registration program and has eliminated virtually all barriers to participation, voters continue to sit on their hands during midterm and off-year elections.

Within this context, Pierce County performs normally. We are in sync with our benchmark counties (King, Snohomish, Thurston, Clark and Spokane), the state and with the nation.

Because turnout is correlated with such things as poverty, education and household stability, Pierce County usually finds itself in the bottom tier of Washington’s counties. Just as we lag behind in four-year college degrees, household income and homeownership rates, we also lag a bit behind in voter participation.

Our county’s turnout has been in roughly the same position for as far back as my records go (except for a nice bump we saw in 2010, when Pierce County joined the rest of the state in vote by mail). And yet, Pierce County’s voter participation outperforms much of the nation, thanks to our state’s enlightened and forward-thinking election policies.

The bottom line is this: When voters want to vote, they do. And they ably navigate complex decisions like those presented on this November’s ballot.

Elections are cyclical over a four-year period. Every one of Pierce County’s 450,000 voters is mailed a ballot for every election, with some voters receiving up to four ballots per year. About 80 percent will participate in the presidential election every four years. Other voters will choose the elections which are most important to them. Finally, there is the dedicated voter who votes in every election.

What should be done to improve turnout? To be blunt, that isn’t a question for election administrators. Our duty is to guard access and integrity. We remove obstacles to voting, ensure the security of the election process, and are accountable for accurate and transparent results. We aren’t morality police or civic whips.

But, since you asked, I don’t think we need more “hyper-partisan and obscenely financed” elections.

Some strategies that would be gratifying and effective include:

▪ Increase household income for a greater share of Pierce County’s citizens.

▪ Reinstate or expand civics in our public schools.

▪ Increase college admission and graduation rates.

▪ Encourage elected officials, candidates and local government to actively engage all citizens (not just devout voters) and develop authentic relationships with them.

Voters make a choice to participate. We wish more would. I’m proud to say it’s not the election system holding anyone back.

This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 5:41 PM with the headline "No barriers account for nonvoting."