A recent piece written by Jonathan Tilove highlights the decades of nearly unchallenged Republican control in Texas politics, and how their firm hold on our state has effected the representation of the people. Voter turn-out in our beloved State is a shamefully low percentage, especially compared to the other states in our Nation. Nearly every other state has a higher percentage of their population casting their ballots, while Texas "ranked 48th in the nation in voter turnout for the 2012 presidential election". Despite the fact that 62% of Texas citizens are registered, only 36% actually voted in 2010.
What's truly upsetting is that of the people that did vote, demographic studies show that the minorities (the immigrants, the youth, the less well-educated, and the people of lower socioeconomic class) are not getting their say, and aren't so much minorities anymore. It is these groups of people that vote majority democratic, and yet we haven't had a Democratic Governor since 1994.
However, it hasn't always been Republican dominance in Texas Politics. According to the Texas Civil Health Report, "In the 1950s, over 70% of Texas voters identified with the Democratic Party." The article explains this effect is, in part, due to the redistricting of county lines, as well as a lack of competitive campaignes. This decline in Democratic participation, and citizen participation in general, can only mean the halt of progress. Without the demands of the people, and the votes of the educated and involved, we simply cannot hope for our state to rise above the rest. I hope this article will draw the attention of Texans who have forgotten their civil duties, and inspire them to vote for the next upcoming election. Maybe then we can see change in our government.
No comments:
Post a Comment