Consolidated elections are all about pocketbook issues. There’s not much in the way of national or state elections just local. That’s where the pocketbook is. Not in my wallet.
Typically voter turnout is low. In 2009 out of 59,760 registered voters in DeKalb County only 13,224 bothered to vote (22%). That was with three candidates for mayor of DeKalb — the county’s largest municipality. In 2011 with no mayoral candidates only 11% of registered voters participated in the consolidated elections county wide.
Based on higher than established attendance at various candidate forums there is hope for bigger voter turnout. Based on the soaring debt obligations taxpayers are responsible for and the cuts in services and pension entitlements looming, combined with higher taxes and fees to meet the debt service, higher voter turnout is needed.
The most unforgiving of all the taxes imposed are those assessed on property. In good times or in bad times the only sure thing is that the property taxes will rise. The biggest chunk of real estate taxes go to public education. Do you know who’s running for your school district’s Board of Education?
Low voter turnout favors the few. The connected. Status quo. Did you know that DeKalb County has some of the higher tax rates (total) in the country? Do you know what your share of the local public debt is? So how’s that status quo thing working out for you?
Those who status quo favors vote in high percentages. They’re voting for their pocketbook. So don’t miss this opportunity to vote for yours otherwise just go ahead and open it up because they’re going to need more from it. And more.
Somebody’s got to pay for their vision.
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“All over America cities are facing the reality of bankruptcy brought on by the mistaken belief the people and their property could be taxed without limit. The new reality every municipality must face is the fact that the Declaration of Independence had it right – that taxation required informed consent.”
http://www.edrivera.com/?p=1664
“The process is very simple – just tell the government to remove your property from the tax rolls. Those tax rolls were created when someone who once owned your property failed to object to the inclusion of that property on the assessment list.”
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Do you think we could increase voter turnout by promising to abolish the property tax? 🙂