IMPROVE VOTER TURNOUT. What can be done to improve Voter Turnout in Camden County, Georgia?

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1 What can be done to improve Voter Turnout in Camden County, Georgia?

2 AGENDA o Introduction o Purpose o Background and Statistical Data o Existing Information Sites, Sources and Programs o Discussion o Proposed Plans and Actions o Comments & Conclusions 2

3 Introduction Purpose Tom Canning Composite of Public Information City, County, and State data are presented when available National data is used for comparison and to extrapolate when local data is not available To stimulate discussion regarding Low Voter Turnout in Camden County, Georgia To determine if the Roundtable or any members of the Roundtable are interested in becoming PROACTIVE to improve Voter Turnout in Camden County 3

4 Low Voter Turnout Not So Funny I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. Will Rogers Vote early and vote often. Al Capone (& Sam Colville) Democracy: A system whereby the person who never votes can cuss out the man the other people elected. Anonymous 4 American youth attributes much more importance to arriving at driver's license age than at voting age. Marshall McLuhan "A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls." Governor George W. Bush, Jr.

5 Background and Statistical Data Recent Registration and Voter History 2012 Population Estimate (U.S. Census) Citizens Eligible to Vote Registered Voters Reg. Voters % % Reg. that Voted Nov Jurisdiction Wide Reg. Voters Cards Cast % Reg. that Voted Nov Jurisdiction Wide Reg. Voters Cards Cast % Reg. that Voted No Recorded Vote (Selective Ommission) U.S. CC Total (All - 14 PCT) CC Total (All - 14 PCT) 313,914, ,081, ,157,000 71% 87% Polling 9, % Polling 2, % 23 Georgia Absentee by Mail 1, % Absentee by Mail % 4 9,919,945 7,430,039 5,428,980 73% 72% Absentee in Person 27,268 7, % Absentee in Person 24, % 1 Camden Co. Provisional % Provisional 0 0.0% 0 51,402 36,701 27,268 74% 66% Total 18, % Total (ESPLOST) 3, % 28 St. Marys St. Marys (All - 5 PCT) St. Marys (All - 5 PCT) Polling 3, % Polling 1, % 117 Absentee by Mail % Absentee by Mail % 8 Absentee in Person 10,829 2, % Absentee in Person 8, % 19 Provisional 7 0.1% Provisional 0 0.0% 0 17,606 12,676 10,829 85% 65% Total 7, % Total 1, % 144 5

6 Background and Statistical Data Reasons for Not Registering to Vote o 51% claimed disinterest in politics or a belief that their vote will not count, and are voluntary disenfranchised. o o 28% claimed involuntary disenfranchisement due to the registration process. 21% claimed voting eligibility problems, personal or religious reasons or simply didn t answer. 6

7 Background and Statistical Data Reasons for Not Voting 7 (T&G) Why did you not vote on Nov. 5? Too busy. (0 Votes, 0%) Forgot. (1 Votes, 20%) Out of town. (0 Votes, 0%) Not interested. (0 Votes, 0%) Illness or disability. Transportation issue. (1 Votes, 20%) (0 Votes, 0%) Registration issue. (0 Votes, 0%) Intimidated by process. Not informed on candidates or issues. Didn't like candidates or issues. Do not understand registration/voting process. (0 Votes, 0%) (3 Votes, 40%) (1 Votes, 20%) (0 Votes, 0%) Other. (1 Votes, 0%)

8 Background and Statistical Data Registered Voters in Camden County, Georgia 8

9 Existing Programs and Information Sites F X To help eligible voters figure out how and where to go vote. X 9 Voter Registration: Camden County Registrars Office; Woodbine, GA; Opinions and Conclusions: Ample Programs and Information Sites with mixed levels of utilization Internet access dependent plus phone and mail service, libraries and Government Offices

10 DISCUSSION Components of the Voting Process + Effectiveness Evaluation Voter Education Available - Effectiveness Unknown Medium Concern Voter Qualifications Easy - Strong Low Concern Voter Registration Process Easy Strong Low Concern Eligible but Not Registered (20-25%) Medium Concern Voter Registration Info & Status Easy - Strong Low Concern Voting Process Three Methods Strong Medium Concern Voter Turnout Varies Weak to Very Weak High Concern 10

11 DISCUSSION Citizen Mobilization: Can take place anywhere and anytime where people live, work, learn, get services, socialize or seek information Can include education on the issues, the candidates, or the how, where and when of voting Can be casual or formal presentations Can be how-to demonstrations Can be Mock Elections Can target pre-voting teens, non-voters, and infrequent voters Look to the Future: Make sure that kids are taught how to vote! 11

12 DISCUSSION Personal Contact: Far more likely to make an impact if it comes from a friend, a neighbor, someone from a similar background, or directly from the candidate Polling Place Locations: Election Day Vote Centers (EDVCs) near to workplaces, schools, shopping areas, or major transportation routes Nonpartisan Voter Festivals: sponsored by a nonpolitical or bipartisan community group Nonpartisan canvassing, phone calls and leafleting 12

13 DISCUSSION Trust in Elections and Government People are less likely to vote if they don't believe that their vote will be counted, or if they don't trust the government. A loss of faith in the electoral process leads to a belief that a person's vote doesn't really matter. Important issues, accountable elections and a transparent, responsive government help to ensure that voters stay engaged in the process. 13

14 DISCUSSION 14 At-Large Council members can be more impartial, rise above the limited perspective of a single district and concern themselves with the problems of the whole community. Vote trading between councilmembers is minimized. Better-qualified individuals are elected to the council because the candidate pool is larger. Can weaken the representation of particular groups, especially if the group does not have a citywide base of operations or is an ethnic or racial group concentrated in a specific ward. At-large elections tend to be more popular in small cities and more affluent areas. District District elections give all legitimate groups, especially those with a geographic base, a better chance of being represented on the city council, especially minority groups. District councilmembers are more sensitive to the small but important problems of their constituents. District elections may improve citizen participation because councilmen who represent a specific district may be more responsive to their constituency. Councils elected by district elections may experience more infighting and be less likely to prioritize the good of the city over the good of their district.

15 DISCUSSION (At-Large vs. Districts Continued) 15 Mixed-System Twenty-five percent of municipalities combine these two methods by electing some council members at large and some from districts. An individual councilmember will either occupy a district or an at-large seat on the council. Mixed systems are most likely to be found in parts of the South and Central jurisdictions. Small Town At-Large: 48.9% Mixed-System: 25.0% District: 26.1%

16 Proposed Plans and Actions Proposed Action X X X X X (Name of Lead/POC) 16

17 Comments & Conclusion DOES THIS PICTURE FORETELL THE RESULTS OF OUR ACTIONS? 17