In the primary election last month turnout in Carbon County ranged from 56.67% in Summit Hill’s first ward to 9.14% in Penn Forest Township east. The average turnout was 33.46%.
We really ought to improve that. Easier absentee balloting would help. A scanner system that allowed people to bubble in their choices would help. Election day registration and early balloting would help. Unfortunately, with Republicans in charge of Pennsylvania government, chances are that even more roadblocks will be placed in the way of voters.
Given the existing laws, though, we could do better than a turnout of approximately one-third of the voters. Perhaps the Democratic and Republican county parties could announce that they will pay five dollars to each of their voters in the precinct with the highest turnout, although we would need to check into the legality of that.
In the meantime, we ought to give some recognition to those Summit Hill voters in the first ward. Could we send them some sort of certificate or bake them chocolate chip cookies? Any ideas?
Some area's the people value there right to vote more than others. Summit Hill is a town with a great Heritage and culture. They are descendant from immigrates of years ago and they value freedom and the right to vote more than today's transplants from other area's of the country. That's what we have in Penn Forest.
ReplyDeleteContact you State Representative Doyle Hefferly and ask him not to support HB 934, a bill to suppress voter participation, The Bill will require every voter to present a photo I.D.
ReplyDeleteThere are quite a few political people in Summit Hill's first ward. Penn Forrest is an issue Roy, but if you want to increase turnout where it would matter you need to find a way to get Lehighton and Palmerton to show up all the time.
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