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November 16, 2007

Who is setting the expectations?

The Chattanooga Times Free Press has a story out today with a curious headline: "Turnout for District 10 race higher than expected." Higher than expected? Turnout was at about 17%.

Now, before you start railing at me, I understand why expectations were set the way they were. I've been through a few election cycles here, and I know the disappointing facts.

However, it is my position that Election Commission officials—whether they be appointed Commissioners or hired administrative staff—ought to set higher expectations. How high they should go, in light of historical reality, is up for discussion. But ideally, the expectation from a county election commission should be that every eligible person is registered and votes. Period. And their public comments on the matter ought to reflect at least some measure of that goal, rather than "hey, we got a little closer to 1 in 5 than the 1 out of 10 we thought would happen."

(P.S. If anyone's looking to retire from the Election Commission or from its administration, I know an independent, civic-minded guy who'd love the chance to serve.)

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Elections | By joe lance | 06:08 PM

Comments

You'd be way too ambitious for that lot.

Posted by: davidm. at November 17, 2007 10:23 AM

I meant that as a compliment BTW

Posted by: davidm. at November 17, 2007 01:23 PM

I agree David

Posted by: dan t at November 17, 2007 03:37 PM