Attention voters: Our future depends on getting to the polls

CLAY COUNTY – The 2024 Primary Election Day started with little fanfare and fizzled out with barely more than 18% turnout. In this election, slightly more than 28,000 Clay County voters (out of the 150,000-plus registered voters) took the opportunity to cast a ballot.

That means 122,000-plus voters (81%-plus) deemed this election unworthy of their attention. Approximately 28,000 voters decided the representation for everything from the U.S. Senate to the School Board.

This is appalling, especially given the availability of 45 days of no-excuse vote by mail, 10 days (100 hours) of early voting at seven locations throughout our county, and 12 hours of election day availability at each of the 45 polling locations.

The Clay County Elections Office hires approximately 460 election workers at a cost of nearly $240,000 in payroll alone. This cost does not include necessary election materials, postage, equipment and other personnel, which easily adds another $100,000 to $150,000. But the most staggering fact is that the price tag is not dependent on voter turnout. The $340,000-$390,000 is spent whether turnout is 18% or 99%.

Elections have consequences and consequences have repercussions. Clay County deserves better, you deserve better, our children and grandchildren deserve better and our future depends on it. We can do better Clay County; we MUST do better as Clay County voters!