Voters: Too Cool or Too Busy to Turn Out?

Re “Insanity of March Madness,� editorial, March 8: Although I agree that there were many factors militating against a large turnout in the March 5 primary, your suggestion that “many Californians didn’t even realize an election was coming up� simply won’t wash. Unless one has no television set, never sees a newspaper or is presently living in one of those Afghanistan caves, there’s no way he or she could be unaware of the primary.

Twenty percent of the eligible electorate voting is unacceptable, even if the election were held in January for an hour in the middle of the night--so put me down as an advocate for compulsory voting.

Joel Rapp

Los Angeles

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To the effects of the primary’s timing and ballot complexity I would add that the “greatest generation� is passing from the stage. I would guess that an analysis by precinct would indicate that voter turnout is directly linked to age.

In the precinct I supervised, the percentage of registered voters who turned out was 42%, not the 31% reported for the state. Voters made the effort to come to the polls using wheelchairs, walkers and canes. Several indicated that they had voted in every election for more than 40 years.

I believe voter turnout can be viewed as a thermometer gauging the underlying patriotism among the populace. If so, our leaders should be concerned about our subnormal temperature.

David S. Swan

Corona del Mar

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The only way to assure voter participation in elections is to declare an election void if under 50% of the registered voters don’t vote. I don’t believe our government wants people to vote anyway.

Gale Michaels

Arcadia

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The recent election had a low voter turnout yet again. I couldn’t help but wonder if all the latter-day patriots who rushed to display flags on their cars and houses after Sept. 11 even bothered to vote. It does take a little more thinking and involvement.

Well, not to worry. My husband and I both voted, and the absence of yours makes our votes carry more weight. So I suppose I should be thanking you all. I hope you like the people we voted for!

Annie Ayala Jelnick

Santa Barbara

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Re “No-Show Poll Workers Leave Some Unable to Cast Ballots,� March 6: I served as a poll worker in the recent election and can now understand why people shy away from this important civic duty. The voting process is not difficult to figure out, but the long hours--13 to 14 per day--are the No. 1 reason that might prevent people from volunteering at the polls.

Most young adults lack the time to commit to such a schedule, so retirees are the majority left to staff the polls. The solution might be simple: Divide the day in two shifts, and more people would have the time and willingness to serve.

Rosa Givens

Diamond Bar