Maverick County Democratic Party Primary Election Voters Stayed Home

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Democratic Party voters primarily stayed home for the March 4, 2014 Primary Election with only 5,080 voting out of an approximate 27,192 registered voters in Maverick County–only 18.68 % of eligible voters exercised their right to vote and decided important key local and state political races.

In comparison to the November 2012 General Election, a total of 10,732 voters cast their ballots in Maverick County–39% of eligible registered voters. A total of 5,652 less voters voted in the March 4, 2014 Democratic Party Primary Election than the November 2012 General Election.

Nonetheless, the 5,080 Maverick Countians who did exercise their right to vote in the March 4th Democratic Party Primary Election made a significant difference by electing or re-electing certain candidates as their party’s nominees for the November 2014 General Election.

Since the first day of early voting on February 18th, Maverick Countians were sluggish to come out and vote despite over 37 local political candidates running for public office. There were only 3,113 votes cast during the 10 days of Early Voting period while another 1,967 voters cast their ballots on March 4th Primary Election Day.

With over 56,000 residents living in Maverick County, this March 4th Primary Election is one of the lowest voter turnout election, if not the lowest, in modern times of Maverick County elections. Maverick Countians provided a myriad of reasons why they did not vote in the March 4th Primary Election, including the widespread FBI corruption investigation of Maverick County, the new Texas Voter ID law, apathy, lack of interest in the candidates, lack of discussion of the issues important to voters, the weather, lack of morale, lack of transportation, and the lack of full participation by “Acarreadoras,” and many more.

With important local and statewide elections due in the November 2014 General Election, it is hoped that more Maverick Countians will participate and exercise their vote and make a difference in November.