Voter Absenteeism Hurts Democracy

On numerous occasions, DIARIO LAS AMERICAS has criticized, with reasons, the fact that in many democratic elections, at different levels, including the presidential, there is a noticeable absenteeism of voters something which is detrimental for democracy. It is very important that the candidates elected in any democratic election, from the lowest to the highest levels, be the result of a reasonable popular will expressed in democratic elections that include, of course, an electoral process that allows knowing the fundamental aspects of the candidates and their programs.

In the local and national elections of this Tuesday, November 3rd., voting was extremely deficient, not because of the way in which it took place, but because of the few people who went out to vote. In other words, the democratic freedom that prevails to sensibly cast a vote that will be honestly counted is not taken advantage of. When we say sensible this includes, of course, the concept of freedom. In other words, a vote cast freely.

For example, here in the Miami metropolitan area where elections were held for mayors and commissioners or councilmen, the number of votes cast was extremely low and, although this does not invalidate the election, it does show voter apathy in terms of political sensibility or, better still, of a sense of civic responsibility. Naturally, the mayoral candidates of the large cities in the area: Tomás Regalado for Miami, Julio Robaina for Hialeah, and Matti Herrera Bower for Miami Beach, had, within the circumstances, a high percentage of votes which compels them to work with the highest possible efficiency and loyalty. Loyalty not to betray the ideals and programs that determined their victories.

Municipal elections should always be considered as the starting point of the democratic life of a community. These municipal elections are as important, within the relativity of circumstances, as the general elections. In other words, for the corresponding jurisdiction, the votes should be proof of what the majority of the voters want. And the logical thing is that this majority responds to the democratic mission of the vote and the highest interests of the community. Staying at home and not going to the polls, unless there is a genuine reason to warrant this, is not a legal offense, but it is indeed a moral and political offense in terms of civic duty.