So how do I get it?
Obviously, by voting. I voted today. But for the umpteenth time, the ballot was absurd beyond a few major races. Making wise decisions on many candidates who matter can be nearly impossible for the average voter, who is too busy trying to survive to dig up information from arcane sources.
I’m talking about the school board, judges, soil conservation, and even state representatives. We won’t even get into anachronisms like county judges and constables, who have no purpose and should never be on the ballot.
The school board is a big deal. Several interesting candidates ran for it. But unless you know what district you reside in, figuring out who is even running is impossible.
After searching online, I finally found a sample ballot through the county clerk’s office—Hurrah for that. Then I could match that with various sites telling about the candidates. How many people are going to go to the trouble of doing all that when they’re so busy surviving?
Same thing for judges. How can I possibly know whether a judge is competent unless I’m a lawyer or have some other special interest? This is another obsolete item that should not be on the ballot in a big city.
And then there are the obscure but vital offices like soil and water conservation. How many voters even know what that office does? With water our most precious and vanishing resource, wouldn’t it be wiser to elect a watchdog who knows what they’re doing and is trying to serve the public interest?
Yes, there are historical reasons for anachronisms. And yes, for electing judges, as well (like being able to throw the rascals out). But those are far outweighed by the disadvantages. How many voters leave those offices blank on their ballots? Or, worse, pick someone randomly out of frustration?
This is not democracy. It is bureaucracy run amok. If we want citizens to believe their votes matter, they first have to know who is running and why. Here’s a suggestion: the news media of all stripes, but especially The Courier Journal, should publish the needed information as simply as possible.
I don’t remember all the numbers required to vote intelligently. I can barely remember where to vote. So, when talking about school board districts, for example, the areas served need to be spelled out clearly every time.
Getting information about voting should be the MOST IMPORTANT function of our society.
People should not have to guess about what to do. That should be evident to everyone. The necessary information should be repeated relentlessly, especially around election day.
If we want good government, not demagoguery, we have to provide voters with the required information in a way that is easy to obtain and understand.