It’s time for a communal and individual conversation, because the stakes of not voting are too high
You give everyone the benefit of the doubt… maybe there was a huge accident on the Turnpike; a storm was in the forecast, whatever.
Four years later, you make another simchah and this time you really get the word out. You check with those who didn’t show up the last time, you remind them the day of, the big day arrives, and 25% of your guests attend. Okay, it’s a big improvement from the last one, but it’s still not good. Is it the location? The competing school dinner? Did you not do enough?
When it comes to a simchah, I hope this never happens. But friends, it did just happen in the New York mayoral primary election on June 22. Only 25% of eligible New York City voters cast their ballots. Sure, it’s better than the 14% voter turnout in 2017 but, let’s be honest, 25% is nothing to celebrate.
Don’t think this is just a New York City phenomenon. The results in the New Jersey primary in June were similar — higher voter turnout, but still, the average was under 30%. And it’s the same story in too many elections around the country.
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