Local elections do not get the attention that the election for President does. It is a well-known phenomenon, that there is a significant drop-off in voter response in city elections. There is an even greater drop-off a run-off.
This years’ city election shows that that trend is continuing.
Only 13,552 eligible Chattanooga city voters went to the polls during the Early Voting period for the Chattanooga city run-off for mayor. (The numbers are even smaller in the City Council run-offs in Districts 2 and 5).
This means that this at this point only one out of every five voters are making the critical decision as to who will lead our city for the next four years.
What is ironic is that local elections have far greater impact on the daily lives of local citizens than do national elections. Local elections should receive far more attention than they do.
And the reality is that a persons’ vote in a local election carries far greater weight and will more likely make a real difference in the outcome of a city race, particularly in a run-off election.
All those who have not voted yet, should make every effort to get to the polls on Tuesday and cast your ballot unless you like others making the critical decision of who should lead this city for you.
I urge everyone to make your plan to vote on Tuesday. It is a short ballot and will take a very short amount of your time to participate in a decision that will affect this city for at least the next four years.
Go to the Hamilton County Election Commission website at elect.hamiltontn.gov to find your polling place. The polls will be open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Your vote is important, so use it.
Rodney Strong
Chair
Hamilton County Democratic Party