What’s it going to take…
“California is divided into 80 State Assembly districts, each of which elects a member to the State Assembly. Each assembly district contains about 466,000 people. Each Assembly member is limited to three terms by a referendum passed by California voters. ” Ain’t Wikipedia grand.
It has been less than a month since Doug Jones narrowly won a seat in the United States Senate via a special election in the state of Alabama. While there has been much jubilation in the Democratic ranks about Jones’ victory, perhaps we should slow the roll…just a bit. I swear, it seemed like people across the country were sprouting third arms to pat themselves on the back for the effort. The effort was impressive and it came from all across this country. Doug Jones defeated a pedophile in a place that one calls a state, but seems more like a confederacy-based theme park. Furthermore, if Senator Shelby hadn’t advised and implored people to write-in ANY candidate other than Roy Moore, we would probably be watching in disgust as Moore got anointed as a United States Senator from the Red state of Alabama. IT’S AN ABERRATION! Barring some massive progressive migration to this crimson state, in three years it will revert to Republican control. Finally, please keep in mind that over 650,000 citizens of Alabama were perfectly fine with electing a person such as Roy Moore as their Senator. Enjoy the moment.
Now that I’ve served as the sharp pin on your political ballon of electoral joy, let me enlighten you as to a rather disturbing recent special election that did not receive the ink or air of the Alabama affair. Here in California, we had our own less publicized special election in Assembly District 51. As you read above, we have 80 Assembly districts here in California and each assembly member represents approximately 466,000 constituents. So, I was more than a bit dismayed to learn that in the special election held on 12/5/17, there were only 20,731 votes cast. Really….?
Let’s review some of the self-aggrandizing stats that we, as Californians, always love to mouth off about. First, we just passed or are about to pass the milestone of 40 million residents. California is, by population, the largest state in the nation. At $125 billion, the state budget is one of the largest in the nation. Finally, California, by itself, is either the 5th or 6th largest economy in the entire world depending on the day of the week. Realistically, as soon as Great Britain “Brexits”out of the European Union and tanks its economy, no doubt, California will permanently and solely take on the role of 5th largest in the world. Hopefully, you get the point. I live in this world class state and yet only 4.5 percent of this district’s constituents bothered to vote in this special election. Sadly, the 51st is not an aberration, it’s the norm. Pondering this depressing reality leaves me utterly gobsmacked.
Yes, it’s a special election….yes, there is only one year left on a 2 year term…yes, it’s off from the normal electoral calendar so lower turn out is to be expected…blah, blah, blah. Sand bag this appalling lack of participation all you want as an aberration, but we don’t live in normal times, do we? We live under the rule of an aspiring fascist who has proved quite adept at taking advantage of just the kind of apathy that is evidenced in California’s 51st Assembly District. The above coupled with the warring factions within Democratic Party means there is no strong and vigorous counterbalancing check the enemies of representative democracy that now inhabit the White House. One would think, that would be enough to motivate one to make the effort to drag oneself to the polls or to lick that stamp.
Honestly, I don’t know the 51st from anything. I live in Northern California and I have very little experience with Los Angeles or this particular area. Given this, perhaps I am not the most credible person to cast aspersions, but facts are facts. This district is comprised of many varied communities(Please see Wikipedia link). Every legislative district is different and unique. The reason or reasons, for the lack of engagement may be unique to this particular district. Regardless, it is striking.
Still…, this rant of mine is not meant or intended as an “apathy shaming” moment. It’s meant as a questioning one. What is it going to take to get you in that voting booth? What has so repelled you from the franchise that so many have fought and died to preserve and protect? Is it cynicism that your vote doesn’t matter when compared to that of well-financed lobbyists? Is it that specious argument that you simply don’t have the time? I can say this because California, unlike many other states, has one of the most open and easy voter registration processes of any in the nation. Is it because you just don’t see the connection between what the government does and your life? I ask these questions not to chastise, browbeat or berate, but to sincerely inquire for an answer.
It’s hard to have people civically engaged if they are not civically educated, informed and connected. It even goes beyond that. Lack of participation excuses aside, there has to be a deeper appeal to the typical voting age resident of the 51st…and every other legislative district on their own individual terms, for that matter.
A representative democracy only functions when the people feel they are being represented. Before that occurs, however, those who are represented need a sense of how the actions of those they elect impact their daily lives.
On December 5th Wendy Carrillo garnered 11,100 votes to the 9,631 won by Luis Lopez. Ms. Carrillo is the lawful Assembly representative from District 51. It does beg the question though: how legitimate do you consider your election if only a little over 2 percent of your constituents voted for you?
A much larger question is this: as we head into what looks like an existential battle for the continuation of representative democracy in this country, what message of purpose, engagement and connection will the Democratic party put forth to compel these seemingly permanently disaffected voters to participate?
So, District 51 voter, what IS it going to take to get you in that voting booth? We ARE listening.
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