More interesting voting stuff

A funny thing about politics. Most hardcore Democrats I’ve talked politics with wouldn’t stand a chance against a 5th grader when it came to local issues. They know what’s on the blogs and in the comments so they’re in the loop on local hot button issues but they would prefer to talk national politics.

Conversely, most local Republicans may not be on top of all the national issues but the established party line of Less Government, Less Taxes plays better in Peoria than it does DC. It might play even better in DeKalb County than Peoria.

Comparing the Primary Election of 2008 (when President Obama was a candidate) and that of 2010 (off presidential primary) supports my theory. When the President’s office was up for grabs a total of 21,526 Democrats voted in the 2008 Primary in DeKalb County compared to 18,470 Republicans. Local Democrats won a majority of seats on the DeKalb County Board and that hasn’t often been the case historically. The drop off in voters was dramatic for the local 2010 Primary. Only 22% of the Democrats who voted in the 2008 Primary cast a ballot in 2010 (4,764 voters). On the Republican side 49% (9,034) of those who voted in the 2008 Primary participated in the 2010 Primary. And the local Republicans recaptured majority status on the County Board.

Depending on perspective that’s good or bad news. What is sickening is the turnout in the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 12th precincts in DeKalb Township. For the 2010 Primary a total of 14 voters participated. Six precincts. 14 votes.