By Greg Rathje
1. Turnout was down.
At the start of every election morning, I tell our election workers my best guess for voter turnout. Some days I’m close, some days…not so much. Last week I was off—way off!
Turnout for the last four August primaries were 28%, 40%, 30%, and 29%. So, I felt safe predicting turnout at 30%.
Turnout last week was 19%.
Why was it so low?
There were very few local races that were contested. Nor any seriously contested races for the legislature or Congress.
This year’s turnout looked like the 2014 primaries, when turnout was 18%. I ignored that year since the last four were more recent and higher.
Here’s my early take for November: I think we’ll have a heavy turnout – roughly 65% in Luce County.
2. Sometimes campaigns are not about winning this year.
There were two Democrats running to be the party’s nominee to run against incumbent Jack Bergman for Congress this November. There was also one fellow running against Bergman in the Republican primary.
These folks were running even though they didn’t have a chance of winning (either in the primary, or the general). So, why do it? Why spend the money and time?
Sometimes, campaigns are about setting themselves up for the future.
Jack Bergman is 77. When he decides to not run again, there will be competition on the Republican side to be the nominee – someone willing to run today against him will have some name recognition going forward. And for the Democrats, they might have a chance (but not a large one) to win the seat back if they’re not running against an incumbent.
3. The two millage results were pretty close, but…
Two county millages – the Child Care Fund and the Sheriff’s Road Patrol passed. The Sheriff’s proposal had more support (75%) than the Child Care Fund (70%).
Voters do pay attention to the taxes they choose to impose on themselves.
4. Luce County’s four townships are still not the same
I wrote several years ago: “Columbus, Lakefield, Pentland, and McMillan townships often do not agree on various proposals, and often disagree strongly.” That’s still true.
While both local millages passed in all four townships, the level of support varied.
Lakefield had the lowest level of support for both millages (57% for Child Care and 65% for the Sheriff), while McMillan had the highest at 74% and 77%, respectively.
Does the level of support have something to do with distance from the county seat in Newberry?
I’m not sure, but it’s interesting to think about.
5. Voting matters
For those who think voting doesn’t make a difference – you’re wrong.
Kinross voted to raise their taxes to support their ambulance service. Sounds like a no brainer, right?
It passed by three votes.
The race for Trout Lake’s Township trustees was decided by two votes.
And the race for McMillan Township’s trustees here in Luce County was decided by one vote.
Voting matters.
As always – a massive thanks to Luce County Clerk Sharon Price and her team for the election results!
Greg Rathje is the Pentland Township Clerk.
