Early Voting ends Friday, Feb. 28th and Election Day is March 4th; Why You Should Vote and Make a Difference
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc
Early voting for the Texas March 4, 2014 Democratic and Republican Parties Primary Election ends Friday, February 28th, at the City of Eagle Pass Multi-Purpose Center and the general election is on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. at the designated polling places within the County and at the Old Eagle Pass Junior High on Del Rio Boulevard for the Republican Party Primary.
Unlike most of Texas which is experiencing record voting numbers, Maverick County registered voters are not participating and voting in the March 4th Primary Election according to local figures. Maverick County is currently experiencing important financial, governance, and public policy issues which will determine the quality of life and prosperity in the community in both the present and future. Every Maverick Countian should be concerned and have their voice be counted through exercising their right to vote in the election. Our democratic government gives each citizen the right to be heard and make a difference through their vote. If you have not yet voted in the March 4th Primary Election, then come out and vote during the Early Voting Period until February 28th at the Multi-Purpose Center or on Election Day, Tuesday, March 4th, at your local precinct polling place. Your vote is your voice. Stand-up and be counted and make a difference by voting today.
A strong voter turnout is considered a fundamental indicator of a healthy democracy (Center for Voting and Democracy 2010).The more citizens who vote, the greater the political participation of its citizens and in turn, the more vibrant its democracy.
In the November 2012 Presidential Election, there were a total of 10,732 votes cast in Maverick County out of 27,192 registered voters, only 39% of the voters voted and fulfilled their civic duty.
As of Monday February 24, 2014, there had only been 1,805 votes cast in Maverick County in the Early Voting Period of the March 4th Primary Election, representing only 6.4% of Maverick County registered voters in 2014-a dismal low voter turnout.
Political analysts attribute low voter turnout to public apathy and accuse non-voters of being detached from a civic right that many in other Nations desire to have, but in reality a combination of many deciding factors may play a role in low voter turnout.
“My vote will not change the outcome that they have determined years ago. Things will never change,” stated a Maverick County citizen when asked by the Eagle Pass Business Journal if they had voted in the March 4th Primary Election. Voter apathy causes a community a lack of progress and change. Change and progress only happens if you do VOTE.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal interviewed local candidates for their thoughts on why there is low voter turnout and apathy within our community.
Candidate for Commissioner of Precinct 1, Mark de Los Santos, stated that people express that they want changes but they won’t get up and make the changes by voting. “ It is out of the candidates hands and in the hands of the voters to make changes or keep things exactly the way they are if that is what they desire. We cannot make changes without the voters,” said De Los Santos.
Leo Buentello, candidate for County Commissioner of Precinct 1, stated that voting is a right that has been afforded to each and every one of us by those brave men and women who have fought for our country. “I encourage everybody to come and vote on your free will. Do not let the minority make those decisions for you. If the community does not come out to vote for whoever the candidate of their choice is, it is the entire community as a whole that loses because we fall victims to an undemocratic process. Please exercise that right that has been given to us on the blood,sweat,and tears of so many soldiers,” said Buentello.
Asalia Casares, Interim County Commissioner of Precinct 2 and a candidate for the same position, stated that the voters of Maverick County need to demonstrate that we do have a strong voice, but that it’s unfortunate that the numbers that are voting show that we don’t matter and that she encourages the voter to come out and vote no matter the candidate of their choice. “Come out and vote for the candidate of your choice. It is important that our representatives in the state and federal level see that Maverick County wants to better themselves and our community,” said Casares.
Sara Montemayor, Maverick County Clerk and candidate for re-election, stated that she respectfully urges the community to exercise their right that we as U.S citizens have and to cast their vote for whomever they wish to represent them as citizens and taxpayers.
Yolanda Mauricio, candidate for Commissioner of Precinct 2, stated that voter participation is essential because it is those numbers that officials in the state and federal level look to when deciding who receives better opportunities through funding and that the voters have to understand that a community will only change if we all participate in that change. “Exercise your voice by voting, so your voices may be heard.” Said Mauricio.
Daniela Aleman, candidate for County Commissioner of Precinct 2, stated that a low voter turnout may be viewed as a big indicator of how the community views the current local government “ It is kind of a paradox that we have a lot of people who are not happy, however, those people have not come out to express those views by voting for a change. We as candidates invite the community to come out and vote for the persons they feel are best for the positions being contested,” said Aleman.
Roberto Ruiz, Interim County Commissioner and candidate for County Commissioner of Precinct 4, stated that the apathy of the voter is something that not only has become an issue in counties such as Maverick County, but has been seen for years even in metropolis areas across the nation. “ I feel that there are many factors that lead to such problems. In many instances communities feel that corruption is at the heart of everything, and I agree that it is a major factor that drives voter apathy. I feel that it should be the total opposite. If there is something wrong then let’s correct it. For example this past week there was a declaration of guiltiness by someone involved in the fraud corruption cases and that is good because we are plugging the lines. Why did our checks and balances fail? Let’s find out and correct the problems. I think that’s one of the reasons why people are disillusioned and they feel that all the politicians are alike. If you say the word politicians in Maverick County, everyone feels it’s a bad word. Not everyone is corrupted and some of us want to do what’s good for the community. The corruption is a cause for concern and we are rectifying the problem on how we operate our daily activities at the county level. We encourage voter participation and invite the community to exercise their right to vote,” said Ruiz.
Dora Madera, Justice of the Peace of Precinct 2 and a candidate, stated that it is a sad situation that voter turnout has been so low and “ I ask the community to cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice as long as you exercise your right to vote,” said Madera.
Jerry Morales, Interim Commissioner of Precinct 1, stated that unfortunately the voter turnout has been low and “We have been asking the community since day one to exercise their right to vote and I have stated that if the community does not agree with my platform and my appointment, then please express your sentiment and vote for the candidate of your choosing. And if you do believe in what I have set forth as interim commissioner then I humbly ask for your vote. We need to change that mentality that everything stays the same and encourage the voter to cast their ballot no matter for who their vote will be for and hopefully the best candidate is the one who wins,” said Morales.
Gilbert Salas, candidate for Justice of the Peace of Precinct 3-1, stated that it is sad that the voter count is low and that the right and privilege that we all have as U.S citizens is to vote freely and the voters must take that right back and by doing so it will cement the stepping stones to change.
Candidate for County Commissioner of Precinct 4 Luis Alfonso (Poncho) Ruiz stated “There are many contributing factors that lead to voter apathy, such as non- discussion of issues by candidates, lack of platforms presented, what difference are we as candidates set to present and set in place that has not been done by those who serve at present time. This are things that we should focus on to entice the voter to speak by casting their vote, for whoever they see fits their community needs. We have all (candidates) done our part, we have run for office, we have all presented a choice to the voter, it is now the voter’s part to make their right and their voice heard,” said Ruiz.
“President Lincoln famously and correctly said our democracy is “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” But democracy doesn’t work when those people fail to practice their right to vote. Thankfully we all have the power to make our democracy work for us, and all we have to do to exercise this power is simply step into the voting booth every chance we get,” said State Senator Carlos Uresti.
