Smarter election scheduling will boost turnout
If you want voter turnout, the election schedule has to be in touch with the rhythms of the town.
A large, white booklet appeared in my mailbox a few weeks ago announcing the special election on August 19. I read it with interest, thinking: “These are pretty important issues. I should remember to be a responsible citizen and go vote.”
Then on August 18 began the week between summer camps ending and school beginning. During this week, the parents of Acton either go on vacation with the family or are totally occupied with their now unoccupied kids. Whether you’re out of town or out of sorts, voting slips by the wayside.
Accordingly, the August 19 special election had a 19% turnout of registered voters, while the April 8 townwide election had a 34% turnout. Sure, that was not a “special election,” but the special elections of February 16, 2023, and September 6, 2022, had 28% and 34% turnout, respectively. Those elections with better turnout were during run-of-the-mill weeks on the town calendar — school was in session.
If you want voter turnout, the election schedule has to be in touch with the rhythms of the town.
Jared Ranere
Silver Hill Road
