Primaries are arguably the most important phase of an election, yet voter turnout for primary elections is always dismal.
The act of voting is your opportunity for choosing the person who most resembles your own belief system. Regardless of the outcome, your vote sends a message, letting politicians know what is important to you. So, when you don’t show up, you let others speak for you, and chances are they are a lot different than you.
Cindi Ross Scoppe addressed voter turnout in The State this week. Scoppe offered some personal insight as to why voters skip the primaries and how it is detrimental to the political system. She says there is a price for sitting on the sidelines during the primary election:
“The primaries are decided by people who are farther to the left and the right than the people who don’t vote. They’re decided by people who are angrier. By people who demand ideological purity, who consider compromise a dirty word. Primary voters tend to punish candidates who work across party lines — which of course creates a self-perpetuating cycle…so come November, those in the sensible center are stuck with candidates who are farther to the left or the right than they are, with people who are less interested in working for pragmatic solutions than they are…”
The road funding issue is a prime example of how political ideologies can conflict with even the most responsible and realistic solutions to a problem. While no one likes a tax or fee increase, sometimes they are necessary, and serve as the most equitable and effective policy solution. This was most certainly the case with Act 40 in 2017.
SC Legislators shouldn’t be punished for investing in our state and putting the welfare and quality of life of people above political ideologies.
Heed Ms. Scoppe’s warning and no matter how far right, left, or in the middle you are, just simply exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, June 12. It’s important.