By Daniel J. Smiechowski
In a few short months, residents of Clairemont, University City and Mira Mesa will cast ballots for President down to school board member. Voter propensity in our community remains abysmally low. Most folks are disinterested, apathetic, lazy or foolish for not participating in their civic duty, yet almost everyone wants the American dream. You can’t have it both ways.
Speaking of low voter turnout, there is a movement by state lawmakers to lower the voting age to sixteen but only for school board elections including K-12 districts and community colleges. This is a good idea. A 16-year-old is a stakeholder within their own political environment and ought to express their views accordingly. Furthermore, according to the Jesuits, a child’s moral development is set at the age of seven. Many countries around the world as well as some states allow a 16-year-old to marry.
The United States offers its citizens the greatest personal liberty found in the world. It is time we used that freedom by voting and participating in public affairs. Voting rates in Argentina top seventy percent and the same is true for many European countries. It takes courage along with a special constitution to run for public office, yet so many citizens show so little respect to the men and women in the arena. Streets are maintained, houses built, utilities supplied, schools go in session, parks and libraries are available, public safety is considered along with a host of other societal issues yet most residents don’t even bother to vote. This is tragic and most frustrating to those of us fighting the good fight.
Here are some sobering numbers to illustrate my point. In sub District A of the San Diego Unified School District there are perhaps 250,000 or more residents eligible to vote. Of that total, approximately 94,000 folks are registered. During the last two Presidential primary election cycles, a mere 32,000 cast a ballot for school board.
Do you see the obvious threat to our way of life, our democracy and our freedoms? I would bet that almost all candidates for public office have some basic understanding of social psychology. The nuts are running the nut house in my estimation. Take it upon yourself to research the issues and vote accordingly.
I urge every citizen to register and vote come election day. If you don’t like the candidates, try running yourself.
Daniel J. Smiechowski is a candidate for San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, District A.
