MCAR Blog & Forum

I am sure many of you have heard of the campaign to “Get Out The Vote” or GOTV - it is a reference to each political party’s attempts to energize their voting base through various activities. Republican or Democrat, no doubt there was a GOTV effort in your city or town.

GOTV efforts produced results not seen in a very long time. There are many different reasons why educated and even passionate people fail to make it to the polls for each election. Some say low voter turnout represents a lack of trust in government. However, this year, this Presidential Election, it can be said unequivocally that voters were inspired and ready to see this Nation move in a new direction.

In the past few years we’ve seen a special election to unseat a Governor, a contentious Presidential race, major bond campaigns and raucous political infighting. At some point, voters reached maximum exposure and decided it was time to do something about it. Casting votes in droves, Republicans and Democrats alike took advantage of the very right which makes this country so special, they voted.

It turns out that the economy was the driving factor of importance in this year’s election. Given the current economic situation in the country and here locally, it’s no wonder why this issue played such a large role in how citizens cast their vote. As the excitement and drama associated with this historic Presidential Campaign begins to subside, the reality associated with the task at hand for our new President-Elect and Congress will become ever clearer. The new voting demographic will be watching closely as this country, under new leadership, begins pursuing policies for the future.

The tide on voter apathy has changed course. Regardless of party affiliation, every American should feel a sense of great pride for the turnout enjoyed on November 4th.

Kevin