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Feb
28
Downtowners didn’t vote
February 28, 2007 |
Downtown has turned into one of the biggest issues of the mayoral campaign, especially the question of whether or not Downtown has received too much investment of money, TIFs, time, etc. at the expense of other neighborhoods. One would think that the 15,000 people who live Downtown would be especially interested in that debate, since virtually all of them live in the tax-abated condos, lofts, or apartments that are now so controversial. But that’s not the case.
Yesterday turnout in the Downtown precincts was terrible. Only 429 people voted in the 2nd District council race, which includes all of the Loop and River Market. This area has about 5,000 registered voters, putting turnout around 8%. Compare that to 25% city-wide or 50-75% in active neighborhoods like Midtown and Brookside. Those numbers are only rough estimates, as it will be a couple of months until the election board releases final numbers.
What’s clear is that most Downtowners aren’t participating in the political process. That’s a bad sign when some of the city’s most affluent and well-educated citizens aren’t engaged. Even the new Downtown Neighborhood Association failed to encourage participation. It was one of the few neighborhood associations that didn’t bring candidates in to meet residents. It’s holding a voter registration drive tonight, the day after the election.
Personally, I sure hope I never hear another Downtowner complain about crime, panhandling, potholes, schools, or the lack of a grocery store or dry cleaner. People lose their right to bitch when they don’t use their right to vote.
Comments
18 Comments so far
Yow, that’s pretty pathetic. Wonder why.
That is sad. I voted.
What I think is sad is that the media PREDICTED THIS. They stated on radio and in the paper that hardly anyone would vote, and they couldn’t have been more right.
Perhaps the politicos like it that way?
This city (and country) needs to start shaming people that don’t vote and make it clear that voting is a more patriotic act than covering the back of your car with yellow ribbons and American flags.
How’s the downtown voterrate vs thee overall voter rate though?
In any case I’m prefer a low voter turnout with a high percentage of those who show up being informed voters than a high voter turnout out of patriotic duty of people just voting for name recognition.
I too am unconvinced that low voter turnout is necessarily a bad thing. One of the highest turnouts in recent history was the election of 2004…and look what happened. It’s not about how many people vote, it’s about who votes.
The Funkhouser supporters seem incredibly uninformed and you perpetuate this at Blogkc with statements like this . . . .One would think that the 15,000 people who live Downtown would be especially interested in that debate, since virtually all of them live in the tax-abated condos, lofts, or apartments that are now so controversial. But that’s not the case.
This is completely and totally an untruth.
Have you ever been downtown? Sometimes it makes me wonder if all the “I hate downtown and I hate progress” have even ventured down there?
Virtually all of them? How ludicrous is that statement?
And don’t tell me that blogkc does not endorse a candidate. Go back & read your posts for the past month - you completely rag on all the candidates except Funkhouser & say extremely uninformed things like “virtually all of them” live in TIF financed buildings.
And with gems like “That’s a bad sign when some of the city’s most affluent and well-educated citizens aren’t engaged well then let’s all pack up & go home? Downtown -most affluent and wealthy. I don’t think so. More like the 4th Corridor & Brookside.
Please inform yourself before writing - I look to the blogs because the Star has decided that actual reporting isn’t necessary anymore.
Many people (dare I say most people) vote because they don’t like what city hall, Jeff City, or DC is doing with their money. I think if the downtowners would only wake and realize how badly city hall is spending their…
WAIT A MINUTE. City Hall’s not spending their money.
Anthony:
The only thing about blogs is this; typicaly, it’s not a good source for factual journalistic reporting. It’s a forum for people to write what they are thinking, to question, to ask for information. Most of the time, bloggers who communicate with respect, thoughtfulness, and calm can initiate a real discussion. No matter what your opinion is or whom you support.
Amen for the lack of facts. The other thing to know about blogs (especially pro-Funk ones like this) is that they’re riddled with bizarre hatred and close-minded group think. Imagine hating people who live downtown just because they took advantage of bad policies put in place by city leaders.
No one is spewing “hate” at downtown residents. The post correctly criticizes them for not participating in the city’s primary election.
If as you said, Kiki, the election is a choice between “progress” and “anti-growth,” then everyone has a responsibility to inform themselves and VOTE. That’s particularly true of downtown residents since so much criticism is directed at their neighborhood.
I guess that’s why I can’t get on the Funkhouser bandwagon - I love what is happening downtown. The construction is a hassle but it is going to be fabulous.
I hope whoever gets elected knows that a strong urban core is the only way to bring people back to KC.
I hope whoever gets elected knows that a *strong* urban core must be paid for by private investors, NOT THE PUBLIC.
Yea - we want to be more like Prairie Village anyway - NOT.
We should become the only city that stops enticing businesses to town with tax breaks.
You guys are too much.
I don’t get the sense that Funk is anti-downtown development. I just think he’s going to make very, very sure that the city doens’t go broke trying to afford what is being put in place.
Has anyone looked at Funkhouser’s website?
Looked at his views?
I would suggest that people should read what Funkhouser says his ACTUAL positions are before jumping to any conclusions. (markfunkhouser.com)
After reading his positions you still don’t agree, then criticize all you want. Just get your facts straight first.
This goes for people who are anti-Alvin Brooks too!
(brooks4kc.com)
The Northland turnout was also pretty pathetic considering all their complaining about being ignored.
Brandon R Ellington name is running as a Write In Candidate for the 3rd District City Council Candidate, he pulled 629 votes in areas that hasn’t voted in years. He is a young black man that the people believe can and will make a difference. It appears he is gaining support from the community in which he is wanting to serve. The community is holding a ralley to Elect Ellington, Sat.March 10th at 4123 E.27th St at 11:00am, it is expected to pull several hundred young voters under the age of 35. The 3rd District needs someone like Ellington to stand up and represent them. Ellington ran his grass root campaign under $1,000.00 dollars and this speaks volume. I quess Ellington was knocked down in the primary but he wasn’t knocked out.
First of all I am glad to see that people are interested in the results. Second, the DNA did a number of things to encourage participation and will continue to work to get Downtown residents more engaged in the process. Don’t be so quick to point fingers. In the democratic process the responsibility is ultimately with each individual.