Are voters "Electioned Out?"
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: June 27, 2012
It's a right that not every country has, exercising your vote.
But it's also a right that not everyone is taking advantage of.
In recent elections, numbers have not been where they could be, and on Wednesday afternoon, Eyewitness News asked why is the turnout so low?
"People are discouraged, and frustrated, regardless of who they vote for," said Utica resident, Michele Lewis.
and Clinton resident, Steve Whiting says, " They are tired of going to the polls and tired of reading about the elections. I think they're electioned out."
And whatever the reason may be, a strong voter turnout across the nation just isn't there, according to the Oneida County Board of Elections.
"If you were to speak with other B.O.E commissioners, they would all give you about the same feedback, where if you're reaching a 47-48% level of voter turnout, you're doing really well....that's standard which is pretty said," said Oneida County Republican Commissioner, Pamela Mandryck
In the 2008 November Presidential Election, around 63,000 people out of 133,000 registered voters in Oneida County exercised their vote.
For the 2011 City of Utica Mayoral Election, around 11,000 out of 28,000 registered voters in the city hit the polls.
For the U.S. Congress Primary Election for the new 22nd District on Tuesday night, just over 5,000 out of 50,000 registered Republicans.
So is the Presidential Election the most important? Mandryck says, that's far from the truth.
"Your local races, the people that you're going to see in church, at the store, on the street, you can go to their office," she said.
She says that kind of interaction can be with Council Members, Mayors and Assemblyman who have local offices.
"So if you have an issue, you can go there and speak to them, that's not out of the realm of possibility. But, whose going to see President Obama? Probably not many of us," said Mandryck.
And although it's not an issue that can be solved overnight, some Central New Yorkers say there are things that could gradually help the turnout.
"It would be nice if they could put the elections all at one time, rather than have them staggered throughout the years and through several years," said Steve Whiting.
But it's also a right that not everyone is taking advantage of.
In recent elections, numbers have not been where they could be, and on Wednesday afternoon, Eyewitness News asked why is the turnout so low?
"People are discouraged, and frustrated, regardless of who they vote for," said Utica resident, Michele Lewis.
and Clinton resident, Steve Whiting says, " They are tired of going to the polls and tired of reading about the elections. I think they're electioned out."
And whatever the reason may be, a strong voter turnout across the nation just isn't there, according to the Oneida County Board of Elections.
"If you were to speak with other B.O.E commissioners, they would all give you about the same feedback, where if you're reaching a 47-48% level of voter turnout, you're doing really well....that's standard which is pretty said," said Oneida County Republican Commissioner, Pamela Mandryck
In the 2008 November Presidential Election, around 63,000 people out of 133,000 registered voters in Oneida County exercised their vote.
For the 2011 City of Utica Mayoral Election, around 11,000 out of 28,000 registered voters in the city hit the polls.
For the U.S. Congress Primary Election for the new 22nd District on Tuesday night, just over 5,000 out of 50,000 registered Republicans.
So is the Presidential Election the most important? Mandryck says, that's far from the truth.
"Your local races, the people that you're going to see in church, at the store, on the street, you can go to their office," she said.
She says that kind of interaction can be with Council Members, Mayors and Assemblyman who have local offices.
"So if you have an issue, you can go there and speak to them, that's not out of the realm of possibility. But, whose going to see President Obama? Probably not many of us," said Mandryck.
And although it's not an issue that can be solved overnight, some Central New Yorkers say there are things that could gradually help the turnout.
"It would be nice if they could put the elections all at one time, rather than have them staggered throughout the years and through several years," said Steve Whiting.
